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Two Filipino sailors killed in attack on Saudi tanker in Hormuz Strait

Saudi Arabia has condemned an attack on the oil tanker Sidr, which was struck by projectiles in the strategic waterway on Monday. The kingdom attributed responsibility to Iran, citing fatalities among the vessel's crew.

LSN World News · 3 September 2026

Two Filipino sailors killed in attack on Saudi tanker in Hormuz Strait

The Sidr came under fire while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical shipping lanes, according to Saudi officials. Two Filipino sailors were killed in the incident, the Saudi government said, without providing additional details about the circumstances of their deaths or the extent of damage to the vessel.

Saudi Arabia has directly blamed Iran for the attack, characterizing it as a dangerous escalation targeting commercial shipping in the region. The kingdom did not specify the type of projectiles used or provide evidence supporting its attribution, though the incident marks another security concern in the strategically vital waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz, which separates Iran from Oman, handles roughly one-third of global maritime petroleum trade. The area has witnessed multiple incidents involving shipping vessels in recent years, heightening international concern about freedom of navigation and maritime safety in the Persian Gulf region.

The attack comes amid broader tensions in the Middle East and follows a pattern of maritime incidents in the area. Saudi Arabia's condemnation underscores the vulnerability of commercial shipping to regional instability and the international implications of incidents affecting major trade routes.