2 Filipino sailors killed as tensions flare in Strait of Hormuz

International

TWO Filipino sailors were killed after a Saudi-owned oil tanker was struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday, as attacks involving Iran, the United States and commercial shipping intensified around the strategic waterway.

Saudi Arabia accused Iran of targeting the supertanker Sidr on Monday night. The vessel is operated by Bahri, the kingdom’s national shipping company, which confirmed that it had been “involved in a security incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” according to a BBC report.

Bahri said the incident occurred at about 23:40 local time on Monday, or 19:40 GMT. It confirmed the deaths of two Filipino seafarers and offered condolences to their families, loved ones and colleagues.

The Saudi foreign ministry condemned what it described as an Iranian attack on the Sidr and also denounced recent Iranian strikes against Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Riyadh called for an end to the escalation and respect for international navigation, global energy supplies, national sovereignty and international law.

Iran has not directly responded to the Saudi accusation. Its Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said earlier that two oil tankers had caught fire after striking mines while travelling through an unauthorised route in the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC said the vessels had been encouraged by the US military to use what it called an illegal route before hitting mines and exploding. It said the ships were on fire.

The US military has not specifically addressed the reported tanker strikes. It said its latest attacks on Iran followed what it described as attempts by the IRGC to target commercial shipping in the strait and US service members.(MyTVCebu)