Explosion sets ablaze Iranian oil tanker near Saudi port, all crew members safe
Story highlights
The tanker, owned by National Iranian Oil Company, had suffered heavy damage and was leaking oil into the Red Sea some 60 miles from Jeddah, unnamed sources told Iran's Students News Agency ISNA.
An explosion set ablaze an Iranian oil tanker off the Saudi port city of Jeddah, Iranian state media reported on Friday, adding that experts suspected it was a "terrorist attack".
The tanker, owned by National Iranian Oil Company, had suffered heavy damage and was leaking oil into the Red Sea some 60 miles from Jeddah, unnamed sources told Iran's Students News Agency ISNA.
All crew members are safe and the situation of the tanker is stable, Iran's Nour news agency reported.
"None of the crew members were injured at the explosion... the situation is under control," the news agency, close to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps, reported.
"Experts believe it was a terrorist attack," a source told ISNA.
The Nour news agency, which is close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the crew was safe and gave the name of the stricken vessel as "Sanitized".
Tensions have been high between regional foes Iran and Saudi Arabia since an attack on the Kingdom's two oil facilities on September 14 that caused fires and damage and shutting down 5.7 million barrels per day (bpd) of production - more than 5% of global oil supply.
Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attacks, but a US official said they originated from southwestern Iran. Riyadh blamed Tehran. Iran, which supports the Houthis in Yemen’s war, has denied any involvement.