Iran oil tanker hit by two missiles off Saudi coast: Iranian state media

• The ship caught fire and suffered heavy damage and oil spill.
• The incident is likely to ratchet up tensions between Tehran and Riyadh.
• National Iranian Oil Company denies a report that missiles came from Saudi Arabia.

(Dubai) An Iranian-owned oil tanker was hit by two missiles in the Red Sea off Saudi Arabia’s coast on Friday, Iranian media and officials reported, stoking tension in a region that has faced a series of attacks on crude ships and oil facilities since May.

The Sabiti, which was set ablaze, suffered heavy damage and leaked oil after it was struck in the morning about 60 miles (96 km) from the Saudi port of Jeddah, Iranian media reported. State-run IRNA agency said the leak was under control.

The incident, which has yet to be independently confirmed, is the latest involving oil tankers in the Red Sea and Gulf region and is likely to ratchet up tensions between Tehran and Riyadh, long-time regional foes that have been fighting a proxy war in Yemen, which lies at the southern end of the Red Sea.

National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), which owns the vessel, said in a statement the ship was hit by two missiles but also denied a report that they had come from Saudi Arabia. Iran’s Foreign Ministry also said the ship was struck twice.

The Red Sea is a major global shipping route for oil and other trade, linking the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. Crude prices jumped on the news and industry sources said it could drive up already high shipping costs.

There was no claim of responsibility for Friday’s reported incident, which follows attacks on tankers in the Gulf in May and June, as well as strikes on Saudi oil sites in September.

The United States, embroiled in a row with Tehran over its nuclear plans, has blamed on Iran for those incidents. Tehran has denied having a role in any of the attacks since May.