Marisks and Kpler, shipping intelligence and tracking firms, reported that two supertankers carrying Saudi oil were struck by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other while transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz late on 2025-08-31. ^[1] U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on 2026-09-01 that the Strait of Hormuz could be bypassed in two years as oil pipelines provide alternative routes for Persian Gulf energy shipments, predicting the waterway would become 'a worthless piece of water.' ^[2] According to Kpler data, the two tankers each loaded 2 million barrels of Saudi crude at the Juaymah terminal in the week before the attack. ^[3] Marisks reported that the Saudi-flagged VLCC Sidr was struck by unknown projectiles about 16.6 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman at about 1952 UTC on 2025-08-31, and that minutes later the Liberian-flagged VLCC Senegal Prosperity was struck by three projectiles about 17 nautical miles east of Khasab, with all crew reported safe. ^[4] Oil prices rose on 2025-09-01 after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened further strikes against Iran, following the first exchanges of fire since late July. ^[5] Maritime security consultant Marisks said that two oil tankers attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz were struck by projectiles late on 2026-08-31. ^[6] U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on 2026-09-01 that Washington would likely announce sanctions against another bank that week and an additional bank the following week. ^[7]