Iran's attacked oil tanker heads home in "stable condition"

National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) said on Friday that the Iranian oil tanker which was targeted in the Red Sea in the morning is heading toward the Gulf in a "stable condition."

"The damaged ship SABITI is moving toward Gulf waters after restoring overall stability," NITC was quoted by official IRNA news agency as saying in a statement.

A handout picture made available by Iranian state TV official website (IRIB) reportedly shows Iranian oil tanker Sabiti in Red sea near the Jaddah port in Saudi Arabia, October 11, 2019. Media reported that an explosion damaged an Iranian oil tanker traveling through the Red Sea near Saudi Arabia on Friday. [Photo: IC/EPA]

Two separate explosions hit the SABITI in the Red Sea some 60 miles (96.6 km) off Saudi Arabia's port city of Jeddah on Friday morning, IRNA reported.

The explosions, possibly created by "missile strikes," caused serious damage to the vessel, it said.

According to NITC, the explosions hit the hull and caused damage to the ship's two main tanks.

However, no fire eruption was reported and the crew are "safe and secure," it said.

"The vessel remains in a stable condition through the efforts of the crew and the help of the NITC experts," the Iranian company added.

Earlier in the day, the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed concerns over the oil spill from the damaged Iranian oil tanker in the Red Sea, which might result in environmental pollution.

"The perpetrators of this dangerous adventurous action are responsible for all consequences, including the pollution caused to the environment," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in a statement.

Over the past months, Iranian tankers have faced a number of "destructive actions" in the Red Sea, Mousavi noted.

Investigations are underway about "this dangerous action" and the results will be announced later," he said.

According to Press TV, Iranian officials said the oil spill from the damaged vessel has currently stopped.

An unnamed source told the Iranian Students News Agency that the strike was likely caused by a "terrorist attack."

Meanwhile, NITC dismissed media reports that the Iranian oil tanker was hit by missiles fired from Saudi Arabia.