Iranian media and government sources on Friday reported that an Iranian oil tanker was attacked 60 miles (96 km) off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Iran state television said the tanker had been hit by missiles, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the vessel had been struck twice. The incident has not yet been independently confirmed by sources outside of Iran.
Tensions in the region have surged in recent months. Earlier this year, the US accused Iran of using naval mines to carry out a number of attacks on foreign oil tankers in the region. Last month, the US and various other countries blamed Iran for drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil sector.
Read more: Iranian oil tanker hit off Saudi coast, may have been missiles – Iran reports