Two Saudi oil tankers hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

Two supertankers carrying Saudi crude were struck by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other while transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz late on Monday, in an attack that sent oil prices above $90 a barrel and raised fresh fears of escalation in the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.

The Saudi Arabian-flagged very large crude carrier Sidr, operated by Bahri, was hit about 17 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, at approximately 1952 UTC, according to maritime security consultant Marisks. Minutes later, the Liberian-flagged VLCC Senegal Prosperity, operated by South Korea's Sinokor, was struck by three unknown projectiles roughly 17 nautical miles east of Khasab. Both vessels had each loaded two million barrels of Saudi crude at the Juaymah terminal last week, according to Kpler data.reuters+1

All crew aboard both ships were reported safe. However, maritime security company Vanguard Tech reported that the projectiles striking the Senegal Prosperity "impacted the vessel's port side, engine room and ballast tank, resulting in a loss of communications". The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency separately confirmed the incident, reporting three projectiles striking a tanker in the same location.cbc+2

Escalation Amid Fragile Ceasefire

The attacks came as the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire for the first time since late July, following a U.S. strike on Iran's Larak Island on Sunday. Iran responded by launching missiles at two U.S. air bases in Jordan overnight. President Donald Trump told Fox News ↘ 0.82% on Monday, "We're going to hit them hard … There will be a response," though he separately told reporters the renewed strikes did not signal a return to full-scale war.cbc

A senior Iranian source told Reuters Thomson Reuters Corporation ↘ 4.69% the exchanges were a "limited and contained confrontation" but warned Tehran would deliver a harsh response if attacked again. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said separately that a supertanker had caught fire after hitting naval mines in the southern strait, claiming the vessel was attempting an illegal transit.oilprice+1

Oil Markets and Economic Fallout

Brent crude neared $92 a barrel in Asian trading on Tuesday, rising for a second consecutive day. The attacks threaten the tentative recovery of oil flows through the strait, which had reached about half of prewar levels after Saudi Aramco resumed loadings in August.1news+2

"The tit-for-tat missile exchanges between the U.S. and Iran bring validation to those who believe that even if not a 'forever war,' this conflict will run and run," said PVM analyst John Evans. Hapag-Lloyd's CEO said it is "reasonable to expect the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked for the foreseeable future".newsquawk+1