Iran has released the first photos of damage caused by the alleged missile attack on a National Iranian Tanker Co (NITC) suezmax off Saudi Arabia.

A close-up of one hull hole Photo: Shana

The attack on the 160,000-dwt Sabiti (built 1999) off Jeddah occurred on Friday.

Initial pictures released by Iranian news agencies showed the vessel's deck, without revealing any damage.

But the oil ministry's news agency Shana has now distributed photos showing two holes in the ship near its waterline.

These show similarities to previous images of oil tanker attacks in the Middle East Gulf over the summer.

These were blamed on Iran and appeared to have been caused by mines or missiles.