This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/11/iranian-oil-tanker-on-fire-after-blast-near-saudi-port-city-report

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Iranian oil tanker on fire after blast near Saudi port city – report Iranian oil tanker damaged by explosions near Saudi port city
(32 minutes later)
An explosion damaged an Iranian oil tanker traveling through the Red Sea near Saudi Arabia on Friday, Iranian has media reported. An explosion damaged an Iranian oil tanker traveling through the Red Sea near Saudi Arabia on Friday, causing oil to leak into the Red Sea, Iranian media and the tanker’s owner have reported.
State television said the explosion damaged two storerooms aboard the unnamed oil tanker and caused an oil leak into the Red Sea. The National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) said in a statement that the hull of the Sabiti was hit by two separate explosions about 60 miles off the Saudi coast.
The state-run IRNA news agency and others relied on an online news report for their stories, while the semi-official ISNA news agency quoted an anonymous source with direct knowledge of the incident. It said the blasts were “probably caused by missile strikes”.
The blast set the vessel, which belongs to National Iranian Oil Company, on fire 60 miles (95km) from the Saudi port city of Jeddah, it reported. “All the ship’s crew are safe and the ship is stable too,” said NITC, adding those on board were trying to repair the damage.
Iran’s Nour news agency, close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, later said the situation was under control and no crew members were injured. It gave the name of the vessel as “Sanitized”. The semi-official ISNA news agency quoted an anonymous source with direct knowledge of the incident and said the vessel was on fire, but the state-owned NITC said that contrary to reports, “there is no fire aboard the ship and the ship is completely stable”.
Iran’s Nour news agency, close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, said the situation was under control and no crew members were injured.
The US Navy’s 5th Fleet, which oversees the region, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The US Navy’s 5th Fleet, which oversees the region, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The reported explosion comes after the US has alleged that in past months Iran attacked oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, something denied by Tehran.The reported explosion comes after the US has alleged that in past months Iran attacked oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, something denied by Tehran.
The mysterious attacks on oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran shooting down a US military surveillance drone and other incidents across the wider Middle East followed Trump’s decision.The mysterious attacks on oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran shooting down a US military surveillance drone and other incidents across the wider Middle East followed Trump’s decision.
The latest assault saw Saudi Arabia’s vital oil industry come under a drone-and-cruise-missile attack, halving the kingdom’s output.The latest assault saw Saudi Arabia’s vital oil industry come under a drone-and-cruise-missile attack, halving the kingdom’s output.
Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attacks, but a US official said they originated from south-western Iran. Riyadh blamed Tehran. Iran, which supports the Houthis in Yemen’s war, has denied any involvement.Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attacks, but a US official said they originated from south-western Iran. Riyadh blamed Tehran. Iran, which supports the Houthis in Yemen’s war, has denied any involvement.
Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this reportAssociated Press and Reuters contributed to this report
IranIran
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia
Middle East and North AfricaMiddle East and North Africa
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content