Iran attacks oil tanker in the Persian Gulf as UKMTO warns of spill risk
Iranian forces attacked an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf. UKMTO warned of an environmental risk after signs of an oil leak into the sea.
The UK navy reported that an explosion occurred in the northern Persian Gulf, causing an oil tanker to take on water and showing signs of an oil leak. The incident is the latest threat to commercial shipping amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel’s captain reported hearing and seeing a powerful explosion on the port side, before a small boat sped away from the area.
Oil was also observed leaking from a cargo tank into the sea, which could have environmental impacts. UKMTO did not disclose the name of the vessel involved.
Iran’s state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked an oil tanker on Thursday morning, without naming the vessel.
UKMTO added that the incident occurred about 30 nautical miles off the coast of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Kuwait. It followed an attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, as well as attacks on other vessels in the area, as the Middle East conflict entered its sixth day.
