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Drone Attack Triggers Explosion on US-Owned LNG Tanker at Egyptian Port
🇴🇲 Oman /Energy & Infrastructure

Drone Attack Triggers Explosion on US-Owned LNG Tanker at Egyptian Port

From Times of Oman · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A US-owned LNG tanker at Egypt's Damietta Port was hit by a drone strike, causing an explosion and fire.
  • The incident raises concerns about the conflict spreading to critical energy hubs in the Middle East.
  • The attack occurred on a day of heightened regional tensions, including US-Saudi strikes in Iraq and Iranian missile launches targeting US installations in Jordan.

A drone attack struck a US-owned liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel at Egypt's Damietta Port on Wednesday, triggering an explosion and raising fears that the Middle East conflict is expanding into vital energy infrastructure.

The explosion occurred while the vessel, identified as the US-owned floating storage vessel Energos Winter, was undergoing cargo discharge operations. Maritime security firm Ambrey reported the drone strike. Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources confirmed a fire involving the storage vessel and a tugboat but did not immediately state the cause.

The incident at Damietta unfolded amid a day of significant regional escalation. Earlier, US and Saudi forces conducted coordinated strikes against Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces in Iraq. This marked Saudi Arabia's first official participation in direct combat alongside the US against Tehran-aligned groups.

The situation was dealt with immediately in accordance with the emergency plans ... and firefighting and safety teams at the site.

— Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral ResourcesThe ministry confirmed a fire at Damietta Port and stated that emergency plans were enacted.

Simultaneously, Iran confirmed launching missiles at US military sites in Jordan and conducting maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran also rejected an Omani proposal for joint administration of the critical waterway, signaling a breakdown in de-escalation efforts.

US President Donald Trump issued a strong warning against adversary forces, stating, "We'll be hitting them hard. We're going to beat the fucking shit out of them." This aggressive declaration followed an earlier pause in American bombardment campaigns.

The attack on the Egyptian terminal underscores the vulnerability of energy facilities across the Middle East. Damietta is a key natural gas export hub for Egypt, and disruptions there can significantly impact global energy markets. Following the news, Brent crude futures surged over 8 percent, trading above $90 per barrel.

We'll be hitting them hard. We're going to beat the fucking shit out of them.

— Donald TrumpUS President Donald Trump delivered a strong threat against adversary forces amid escalating regional tensions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Oman in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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