The company extended its condolences and sympathies to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims and said it offers its full support to those affected. "Bahri maintains continuous contact with the vessel and is co-ordinating closely with the relevant authorities and stakeholders in the maritime sector while closely monitoring developments," Bahri said in a post on X.   The fatal incident is the latest in a string of attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran as it steps up pressure on commercial traffic using the southern corridor close to Oman. On 30 August the VLCC Senegal Prosperity was hit three times by rockets in the Strait and is now abandoned and listing.     On 26 August the tanker Burgan was hit in the starboard aft ballast tank by an unknown projectile while transiting westbound through the Strait.

On 25 August the tanker Al Salam II was struck by an unknown projectile which caused a fire on the vessel that was extinguished by the crew.

On 24 August the Liberian-flagged Aframax Metro Venetian was struck in the Omani route of the Strait of Hormuz causing a fire in the engine room and disabling the vessel

Meanwhile the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has added another 11 vessels to its previous list of 45 it alleges have violated Iran’s rules for transiting the Strait of Hormuz, threatening the vessels with detention, confiscation, or fines.

The majority of the 11 vessels added to the list are owned by companies in regional neighbouring countries. Four are owned in the UAE including two from ADNOC Logistics & Services whose vessels have been repeatedly targeted in the Strait. Four of the other vessels are owned by Saudi Arabian companies including three from Bahri.