Two oil tankers attacked! All oil terminals in Iraq are shut down.

Source: Securities Times Network

According to reports from Iraq on the 12th, two oil tankers were attacked in Iraqi waters, resulting in one death. The Iraq Ports Authority announced that all oil terminals across the country have suspended operations.

It is reported that Saad Ma’an, head of the security media center under the Iraq Joint Operations Command, confirmed earlier that two foreign oil tankers were attacked and set on fire near the southern Basra Province in Iraq, causing one crew member to die and 38 others to be rescued. Rescue efforts are ongoing.

Iraq did not disclose the specific time of the attack on the two oil tankers.

Subsequently, the Iraq Ports Authority announced that all oil terminals nationwide have suspended operations, but commercial ports remain operational.

On the 12th, Iraq’s Ministry of Oil issued a statement saying that a new round of regional conflicts has affected multiple countries in the region, negatively impacting the global economy and energy markets. The statement called on all parties involved in the conflict to exercise restraint, ensure that maritime transportation routes and energy infrastructure are not affected by the conflict, safeguard global energy market security, and maintain regional and global economic stability.

Additionally, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Office stated on the 12th that a cargo ship was hit by an unidentified projectile near the Strait of Hormuz, causing the vessel to catch fire.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office issued a statement saying the incident occurred 35 nautical miles north of Alishan in the UAE. All crew members are safe, and the situation is under investigation.

On the 11th, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Office reported that a cargo ship was hit by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, causing the vessel to catch fire. The incident happened 11 nautical miles north of Oman.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping passage. After the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, the passage through this strait has attracted widespread attention.

On March 11, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. is in a “favorable position” in the war against Iran and will focus on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also said that the U.S. knows where Iran’s “secret organizations” are and that they are being closely monitored.

Earlier this week, Trump mentioned the Strait of Hormuz in an interview, saying he is “considering occupying it.”

On March 12, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Kangkun held a routine press conference. A reporter asked about the attack on ships near the Strait of Hormuz.

Guo Kangkun responded that the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters are important international channels for cargo and energy trade. Maintaining security and stability in this region is in the common interest of the international community. China urges all parties to immediately cease military actions, avoid further escalation of tensions, prevent regional instability, and avoid greater impacts on global economic development.

Recently, international oil prices have experienced significant fluctuations. Goldman Sachs, in its latest report, sharply raised its fourth-quarter crude oil price forecast, citing the expected longer duration of the disruption of oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz than previously assumed. This adjustment suggests that if the situation in the Middle East worsens further, oil prices could break the 2008 record high.

Compiled from: CCTV News