Saudi Arabia Says 2 Tankers Were Targeted In 'Sabotage Attack'

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said on Monday that two of his country's oil tankers were targeted by a "sabotage attack" near the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

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Al-Falih confirmed that two Saudi oil tankers did suffer heavy damage, but no oil leaks or casualties were reported.

"Fortunately, the attack didn't lead to any casualties or oil spill; however, it caused significant damage to the structures of the two vessels," said Falih as cited by Reuters.

The Saudi Energy Minister condemned the attack, but did not place blame on any group or country, despite rumors that Iran may have been responsibile. 

One of the targeted vessels was en route to being loaded with Saudi crude from Ras Tanura port to be delivered to Aramco customers in the US before the attack, Reuters reported.

The U.S. Maritime Administration warned last Thursday that Iran and its proxies were planning to conduct an attack against the American forces and their partners to disrupt the oil transit in the Persian Gulf.

“Since early May, there is an increased possibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies could take action against US and partner interests, including oil production infrastructure, after recently threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz,” the warning read. “Iran or its proxies could respond by targeting commercial vessels, including oil tankers, or US military vessels in the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait or the Persian Gulf.”