Two sailors were killed when the Saudi vessel was targeted in the strategic Strait of Hormuz
MUSCAT: Oman’s Royal Navy rescued 16 crew members from a Saudi-owned tanker that was attacked by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, Oman’s Maritime Security Centre (MSC) stated on Monday.
The operation came after the vessel, SIDR, was targeted in the critical waterway last week.
MSC reported that the Omani Royal Navy vessel had provided logistic support to the 25-member crew of the Saudi Arabian Shipping Company vessel and evacuated 16 crew members to the mainland. The 16 rescued crew members received medical support. The MSC did not give any information on the status of the remaining nine crew members.
However, the MSC confirmed two sailors were killed in the attack.
Saudi shipping company confirmed on Wednesday that the two sailors who lost their lives in the attack were Filipino nationals. The attack came as tensions flared between Iran and the US.
The attack on the Saudi vessel adds to the worries about the safety of vessels plying in the Strait of Hormuz, a lifeline for global energy supplies.
The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Any disruption in its operations could cause severe economic damage, as the world’s energy supplies would be at risk.
Oman has played a leading role in mediating regional disputes and has been vocal about the significance of security and stability in the waterway.
The latest attack comes even as tensions between Iran and the US have escalated after months of confrontation, with both sides targeting each other’s shipping routes.
Iran has been trying to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while the US has worked to loosen Iran’s embargo by targeting Iranian ports.
The standoff has created a tense environment throughout the region, with fears that other nations’ vessels and crews may be caught in the crossfire. Concerns about crew safety and potential trade disruptions are negatively impacting the confidence of shippers, insurers, and governments in the stability of global energy markets.
The intervention by the Oman navy rescued the crew members caught in the crossfire between Iran and the US, but the loss of two lives is yet another tragic reminder that the standoff is hurting international commerce and energy markets.