DUBAI — Iran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker off Dubai early Tuesday.
The strike on the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi is the latest in a string of assaults on merchant vessels by missiles or explosive air and sea drones in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
Kuwait Petroleum Corp, the ship’s owner, said the attack happened early on Tuesday, causing a fire and hull damage.
Authorities in Dubai later said they had been able to bring the fire under control following a drone attack on the tanker.
No oil leakage or injuries have been reported following the strike on the Kuwaiti tanker, they said, adding that all 24 crew members were safe.
Earlier, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation warned of the possibility of an oil spill after the large crude carrier was attacked by Iranian forces while anchored off Dubai, according to state news agency KUNA.
The vessel was struck 31 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, according to UK’s maritime authority (UKMTO). — Agencies
Source: Saudi Gazette