Iranian tanker incident worsens regional maritime security situation
An incident involving an Iranian oil tanker near the port city of Jeddah, initially described as having been caused by missiles fired by Saudi Arabia, is another marker point in a deteriorating Middle East maritime security map.
The IRNA, the Iranian state news agency, initially reported that the oil tanker Sabiti, owned by the National Iranian Tankers Company, sustained damage after being hit by missiles fired by Saudi Arabia while transiting the Red Sea in the early hours of 11 October.
However, hours later Iranian state news distanced itself from reports describing the explosions suffered by the vessel as
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