An attack on two oil tankers off the coast of Saudi Arabia has reignited tensions in the Gulf, while the price of crude oil continues to rise
The attacks, which occurred off the coast of Jubail, are the latest in a wave of naval incidents that are fueling fears of a major disruption to oil supplies and keeping crude oil prices high.
An oil tanker in the Persian Gulf
Two oil tankers were attacked on Friday off the Saudi coast, in Gulf waters, according to a report Saturday by the British maritime security agency UKMTO, amid growing tensions that have already pushed oil prices to five-month highs.
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A projectile of unknown origin
The first vessel, which was located 68 nautical miles northeast of the city of Jubail, was struck by a "projectile of unknown origin" and its crew was evacuated, the agency said.
The maritime security firm Vanguard identified the vessel as the oil tanker ST3, which sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands.
"The impact caused a power outage and a fire in the engine room," the company said, adding that the crew was transferred to a nearby container ship flying the flag of the United Arab Emirates.
A rocket-propelled grenade attack
Subsequently, the UKMTO reported a second incident that occurred 78 nautical miles from the same Saudi city.
"The captain of an oil tanker reported that he was targeted by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fired from a small boat, which damaged the port side stern," the British agency stated, adding that the crew was found "safe and sound."
No environmental damage has been reported from the attacks so far.
The UKMTO reported at least 12 attacks on ships in the past week, 10 of them in the Strait of Hormuz, the highest weekly total since the war began.
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Oil prices soar to five-month highs
The WTI, the U.S. benchmark, rose $3.44 (3.5%) to $101.41 per barrel, its highest level since Sept. 17.
Brent, the European benchmark, closed at $109.86 per barrel, up $3.94 (3.7%), its highest closing price since May 19, after briefly touching $110 during the session.
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