An Iranian tanker was forced to seek repairs at a Saudi port after suffering "engine failure and loss of control", the Iranian oil ministry's SHANA news agency reported Thursday (May 2nd).
The rare docking came as the US was poised to end all remaining exemptions to sanctions on Iranian oil exports, a move strongly supported by the kingdom, AFP reported.
SHANA said the incident began on Tuesday morning when the tanker issued a distress call.
"One of the National Iranian Tanker Company's tankers, moving through the Red Sea towards the Suez Canal, failed to continue its path due to water leaking into its engine room," it reported.
"With the co-ordination of the relevant officials, the ship was guided to Jeddah as the nearest safe port to fix the problem and take the necessary measures."
SHANA identified the tanker as the Happiness 1, with a crew of 26.
Several Saudi vessels belonging to the border guard, the Saudi Ports Authority and state oil giant Saudi Aramco were involved in the rescue operation, Riyadh's media ministry said.
"All necessary precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the ship's crew and provide necessary support and assistance," a Saudi border guard spokesman said in the statement.
