An Iranian oil tanker stricken by explosions was likely hit by two rockets in a "terrorist act" as it sailed through the Red Sea, Tehran claims

The blasts sparked an oil spill and fire on board the heavily-damaged ship belonging to the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), it was reported.

The state-owned NIOC claims two separate explosions were likely caused by a rocket attack at about 5am on Friday morning.

Photos published by Iranian media show a huge plume of smoke rising from the tanker.

Marine tracking websites show the 20-year-old Sinopa tanker holding a position about 60 miles south-west of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The vessel, formerly named Susangird, was reportedly en route to Syria - via the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean - with a cargo of one million barrels of oil.

Reports out of Iran claim oil was spilling into the sea after four main tanks were damaged in blasts at 5am and 5.20am, but the ship had been stabilised by its crew.

The reports did not cite any evidence to support the claim that it was a terror attack or assign any blame.

"Experts believe it was a terrorist attack," Iran's Students News Agency reported.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, which gave the ship's name as Sabiti, reported: "Technical experts believe the incident may be due to terrorist activity."

All of the crew members were safe and uninjured, said reports out of Iran.

The Nour news agency, which is close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, said the crew was safe and gave the name of stricken vessel as "Sanitized".

The Sinopa was carrying a million barrels of oil bound for Syria, Tanker Trackers reported.

It was the third Iranian tanker to become incapacitated in the Red Sea in just six months.

In May, the Happiness 1 tanker, carrying at least 1.1 million barrels of fuel oil, was forced to seek repairs at a Saudi port after suffering “engine failure and loss of control”.

In August, a vessel called HELM broke down 75 miles from Saudi Arabia and under went repairs.

There have been a number of incidents involving Iran and oil tankers in recent months.

Late last month, Tehran released a British-flagged tanker two months after it was boarded and seized by the Revolutionary Guard.

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Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-iranian-oil-tanker-hit-20557265