Two oil tankers attacked in the Gulf region, driving oil prices sharply higher at the opening

Odaily News According to foreign media reports, two oil tankers were attacked in the northern Gulf near Iraq and Kuwait, raising renewed concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the region. International oil prices surged sharply at the opening on Thursday in response. Initial reports indicate that the vessels may have been struck by Iranian unmanned explosive boats or similar devices, a method increasingly used in maritime attacks in the region. Analysis suggests that the northern Gulf, particularly the waters near Iraq and Kuwait, is a crucial hub for global oil exports. Any instability in these waters has the potential to ripple through the global energy market. Even localized attacks can raise shipping insurance costs, force vessels to reroute, and heighten concerns about supply disruptions, at a time when the crude oil market is already under pressure from geopolitical risks. Although the specific details of the attack are still under investigation, these incidents highlight the growing vulnerability of the global energy supply chain in this region.