A Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) named Sidr, flying a Saudi Arabian flag and part of Bahri’s fleet, was hit by three projectiles on September 1, 2026, while transiting out of the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred about 17 nautical miles east of Khasab, Oman. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the attack, noting that there were no casualties or environmental impact. Authorities are currently investigating the event, and vessels in the area have been advised to proceed with caution.
Separately, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that a supertanker was disabled after striking two naval mines while attempting to use an unauthorized route south of the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC Navy did not identify the vessel, its flag, owner, or crew, nor did it provide details on casualties. They warned that other vessels breaching their navigation rules could face similar consequences. However, US Central Command (CENTCOM) rejected this claim, stating that no ships had hit mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
These incidents follow renewed regional tensions, including US strikes on Iran's Larak Island and subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks on US forces in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route, has seen reduced commercial traffic, with visible commodity vessels falling to five per day over the weekend. Oil prices, specifically Brent crude, jumped over 2% to above $90 a barrel following the Larak attack and continued to climb, with Brent trading at $91.35 and US West Texas Intermediate futures adding 1.07% to $86.68 per barrel, reflecting market concerns over escalating hostilities.
