Amid Heightened Tensions Between US And Iran, Two Saudi Oil Tankers Attacked Off The Coast Of UAE

Condemning the “sabotage attack” on its oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates as an attempt to undermine security of global crude supplies, Saudi Arabia on Monday (13 May) said that two of its oil tankers were among the targeted vessels, Reuters has reported.

In a statement, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said that one of the two Saudi vessels attacked was on its way to be loaded with Saudi crude from Ras Tanura port for delivery to state-owned Saudi Aramco’s customers in the United States.

Earlier, on Sunday (12 May), UAE said that four commercial vehicle were sabotaged near Fujairah emirate, which is one of the largest bunkering hubs lying just outside the Strait of Hormuz.

However, UAE authorities have not revealed as to who was behind the operation that took place amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran.

Meanwhile, calling the incidents “worrisome and dreadful”, Iranian foreign ministry has asked for an investigation into the matter.

According to the report, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have strongly backed US sanctions against fellow OPEC producer and regional foe Iran. After the United States ended all sanctions waivers on Iranian crude, Washington said Riyadh and Abu Dhabi would help compensate for any shortage in oil supply.