The Strait of Hormuz has effectively been closed since the start of the war in Iran (file photo) Saudi Arabia has condemned what it said was an Iranian attack on a Saudi-owned supertanker on Monday night that killed two Filipino sailors. The Saudi national shipping company, Bahri, confirmed on Wednesday that its vessel Sidr was "involved in a security incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz".
Sidr was hit by projectiles north of Oman's Musandam Peninsula, according to maritime security firms. A South Korean-owned supertanker, Senegal Prosperity, was reportedly struck east of Musandam around the same time. Iran has not responded to the Saudi allegation. But it said earlier that two tankers had caught fire after hitting mines while using an unauthorised route through the strait.
The news of the sailors' deaths came after the US military carried out a wave of air strikes on Iran and Iranian forces targeted US bases in neighbouring Arab states with missiles and drones in their biggest exchange of fire since July. On Wednesday Iran's health minister said 18 people were killed and 108 injured in the US attacks.
Iran has accused the US of a "war crime" over a strike that killed four people including two children at a wedding party in the southern city of Sirik. The US military said it was looking into the reports. Shipping company Bahri's statement said the unspecified "security incident" affecting Sidr happened in the Strait of Hormuz at around 23:40 local time (19:40 GMT) on Monday.
"It is with profound sadness that Bahri confirms the loss of two of its Filipino seafarers as a result of the incident," it added. "The company extends its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to their families, loved ones, and colleagues during this difficult time."