Rains of bombs as Saudi oil tankers hit in fresh Strait of Hormuz attacks, as Russia launches massive overnight strikes on Odessa, Ukraine
The Sidr was reportedly struck northeast of Khasab, Oman, while the Senegal Prosperity was hit east of Khasab. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency separately reported that three projectiles struck a tanker in the same area.
Tensions in the Gulf have escalated sharply after two supertankers carrying Saudi crude were struck by unidentified projectiles while sailing out of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The incidents occurred within minutes of each other late Monday, according to shipping intelligence and tracking firms Marisks and Kpler. The vessels were identified as the Saudi-flagged Sidr and the Liberian-flagged Senegal Prosperity.
Marisks described the near-simultaneous attacks as a further escalation of the security threat facing commercial shipping in the Omani corridor.
The Sidr was reportedly struck northeast of Khasab, Oman, while the Senegal Prosperity was hit east of Khasab. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency separately reported that three projectiles struck a tanker in the same area.
All crew members were reported safe, and there were no immediate reports of casualties.
The two tankers had each loaded approximately 2 million barrels of Saudi crude from Saudi Arabia’s Juaymah terminal last week.
The attacks come amid renewed military confrontation between the United States and Iran, following a fresh exchange of fire and heightened tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump has threatened further military action against Iran, while Tehran has retaliated against US interests in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a major flashpoint in the conflict because it is one of the world’s most important energy corridors. The security crisis has already disrupted Gulf oil exports and sent crude prices higher.
However, there is currently no confirmed evidence publicly establishing that Iran fired the projectiles that struck the two tankers. Shipping authorities and intelligence firms have described the weapons as unidentified.
The latest incidents have nevertheless heightened fears that the US-Iran confrontation could spill further into commercial shipping and threaten global energy supplies.
With Washington threatening additional strikes and the security situation around Hormuz deteriorating, fears are mounting that the latest attacks could trigger a wider regional escalation.
RUSSIA UNLEASHES MASSIVE ATTACK ON ODESA
Meanwhile, thousands of kilometres away, Russia launched a massive overnight aerial assault on Ukraine, with Odesa among the cities hit.
Ukrainian authorities reported extensive Russian attacks involving drones and missiles. At least 20 explosions were reportedly heard in Odesa, while infrastructure was damaged and electricity disruptions were reported.
The broader Russian barrage was even more extensive.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched approximately 218 drones and missiles during the overnight assault, including ballistic missiles and other weapons. Ukrainian forces said they intercepted or neutralised a substantial number of the incoming weapons.
The attacks also struck Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions.
At least 12 people were killed in the wider Russian bombardment, according to reports, with dozens more injured. Railway infrastructure was among the targets hit in Kyiv.
A DANGEROUS NEW ESCALATION
The simultaneous escalation in the Middle East and intensification of Russian attacks on Ukraine underline the increasingly volatile international security environment.
In the Middle East, the immediate concern is whether the Iran-US confrontation will spread further into the Gulf and threaten commercial shipping.
In Ukraine, Russia’s latest barrage demonstrates that the war remains capable of producing large-scale attacks despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The big question now is what comes next.
Will Trump order another major strike against Iran?
Will Tehran retaliate again?
Will the Strait of Hormuz become an even bigger military flashpoint?
And will the attacks on commercial tankers trigger a broader international crisis?
For now, the answer is uncertain — but the escalation is unmistakable.
