Deadly Attack on Oil Tankers Prompts Iraq to Close Oil Terminals
Two oil tankers were attacked and burning off the coast of Iraq early Thursday, prompting the Iraqi authorities to suspend all oil terminal operations, as the Middle East conflict deepened disruptions to the global energy supply.
The two vessels were used by Iraq for its own oil transport, Iraq’s oil export authority said. Senior Iraqi officials said that one of the vessels, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, was owned by an American company. The officials requested anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.
Iran Claims Responsibility for Attack
Iran claimed responsibility for attacking the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker. In a statement cited by Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said the ship had “disobeyed and ignored” warnings. The statement did not mention the other ship, but senior Iraqi officials confirmed that Iraqi officials believe the attack on both tankers was Iranian. The officials said the authorities were still trying to understand from their Iranian counterparts why the vessels were targeted while off the coast.
Details of Attack Revealed
The State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) identified the ships as the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Malta-flagged Zefyros. The tankers were attacked while in a ship-to-ship transfer area, according to SOMO. “Two oil tankers were subjected to a cowardly act of sabotage,” Lt. Gen. Saad Maan, head of the Iraqi Security Media Cell, a government entity, said in a statement published on Iraq‘s state news agency.
Global Energy Supply Disrupted
The attack has raised concerns about the potential impact on global energy supplies. The Middle East is a critical region for oil production and transportation, and any disruptions to the flow of oil can have significant consequences for economies around the world.
Original Article: Deadly Attack on Oil Tankers Prompts Iraq to Close Oil Terminals – The New York Times — Nytimes