On October 30, 2023, the Oman Navy assisted a tanker that was under attack during refueling and evacuated 25 of its crew. This incident occurred amid rising tensions in the Persian Gulf, with Iran reporting several unverified attacks.
Details of the Attack on the Tanker
The damaged tanker, likely named "Riti," operates under the Panama flag with a cargo capacity of 166,729 tons and is managed from Hong Kong. According to Orbital Risk Intelligence, this tanker was leaving Oman when it was likely struck by an Iranian missile.
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Attacks and Their Consequences
Additionally, another attack occurred approximately 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman on another tanker named "Suezmax Louise 1." This tanker also operates under the Panama flag, and in this incident, two mines were attached to its hull below the waterline, causing a fire. However, the crew managed to extinguish the fire, and the tanker was able to continue moving under its own power.
The Louise 1 tanker, built in 2004, has a cargo capacity of 159,000 tons and is currently managed by Indian operators. This tanker had previously been sanctioned by Ukraine due to its connections with Russian oil trade.
These attacks are considered part of a targeted and ongoing campaign by Iran at sea. Experts believe that such attacks indicate a shift in Iran's maritime warfare tactics, particularly affecting vessels waiting to transit these routes.
Iran's Claims and Reactions
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran claimed on October 27, 2023, that two tankers on either side of the Strait of Hormuz and another tanker within the strait had been targeted. This entity also stated that one of the tankers was loaded with two million barrels of oil. However, no further details were provided regarding these claims.
The central government of the United States has repeatedly rejected Iran's claims of mines in international shipping lanes, emphasizing that these routes have been cleared of mines.
As tensions mount, the oil market is under pressure, with Brent crude oil prices reaching $117.70 per barrel. These concerns have also led to rising prices for Texas crude oil, nearing $100 per barrel.
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