This archive report was first published on 11 October 2019.
On October 11, 2019, an Iranian oil tanker caught fire in the Red Sea after being hit by missiles, according to state media reports.
The National Iranian Oil Company confirmed that the ship, identified as the Sabiti, was struck at 5 a.m. and again at 5:20 a.m., causing damage about 60 miles from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Despite the hull being damaged, the crew members were safe, and the ship was in stable condition, state news media reported.
The incident sparked concerns about escalating tensions in the region, where Saudi Arabia and Iran have been engaged in a long-standing rivalry.
Iranian state television described the incident as a 'terrorist attack,' while the US has accused Iran of being responsible for previous attacks on Saudi oil installations.
The price of oil jumped on news of the explosion, with Brent crude rising about 2 percent in futures markets.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion, with 'technical experts' from Iran reportedly leading the probe.
The incident has added to the already volatile situation in the region, where the US has imposed sanctions on Iran and withdrawn from a nuclear agreement.
