The US would not comment on the alleged attack on an Iranian oil tanker, but is preparing to send more troops and military hardware to Saudi Arabia.
Hours after Iranian state media reported the 160,000-dwt suezmax tanker Sabiti (built 1999) had suffered two explosions, the US announced another 3,000 forces would head to Saudi Arabia as a defensive measure.
"We've seen the reports about the tanker off the coast of Sudan and I don't have any comment on it," US special representative for Iran Brian Hook said in a press briefing Friday.
Hook did say the additional troops — 200 were dispatched to the country last month — came out of talks in the wake of the 14 September attacks on the Abqaiq oil processing facility, which knocked out half of Saudi Arabia's capacity.
Yemeni Houthi rebels took responsibility for that attack, but the US blamed Iran.
The forces sent to Saudi Arabia include two fighter squadrons, one air expeditionary wing, two batteries of Patriot missiles and one Terminal High Altitude Air Defense system.
"Saudi Arabia is a longstanding security partner and has requested additional support to supplement their defence and to defend the rules-based international order," Hook said.
"The [Trump] administration does not seek conflict with Iran. We have been equally clear with the regime that we will defend our citizens, forces and interests."
According to Iranian media, the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC)-owned Sabiti suffered two explosions 95km off Jeddah, damaging two tanks and spilling oil into the Red Sea.
A spokesperson for the NITC initially said the explosions were from missiles "probably" fired from the direction of Saudi Arabia, but the company later withdrew the claim.
There have been no other confirmations of the attack.
It was the latest in a string of incidents racheting up tensions in the region.
In May and June a series of tankers were sabotaged in the Strait of Hormuz. In July, the UK and Iran each arrested tankers connected to the other, which have since been let go. After the attacks on Saudi Arabia in September, the US sanctioned five Chinese companies for allegedly doing business with Iran.
Maritime security specialists Solace Global said if the Sabiti was attacked, it is a "significant issue" for Iran as the seizure of the 300,000-dwt Grace 1 (built 1997) by the UK in Gibraltar in July cut off oil exports to Syria via the Cape of Good Hope.
"As such, the Red Sea's importance for the Iran-Syria oil trade is a weak point that Riyadh may look to exploit in retaliation for past attacks," the firm said.
"The area is a weak point for Iran as, unlike the Persian Gulf of Sea of Oman, Tehran is unable to project power into the sea effectively without using its regional proxies, the Houthis."
Solace said further attacks in the region were likely, especially for ships flying either the Saudi Arabian or Iranian flags, and that ships of all flags should exercise caution.
