US Pentagon officials have raised alarm over the Greek-owned tanker Sounion, which is currently ablaze in the Red Sea and may be leaking oil.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder confirmed that the vessel, immobilised and on fire, poses a significant navigational hazard and threatens to cause an environmental disaster.
The tanker is reported to be carrying approximately 150 000 tonnes of crude oil, equivalent to nearly one million barrels, raising concerns that a major spill could rival historical maritime catastrophes, including the infamous Exxon Valdez incident of 1989.
The Sounion was attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels last week, initially struck by gunfire from small boats and subsequently targeted by projectiles that ignited the fire and incapacitated its engines.
The crew of 25 was rescued by a European naval vessel and taken to Djibouti.
Ryder noted that the US is aware of threats made by the Houthis against potential salvage efforts, although he did not clarify whether these threats occurred before or after the vessel was set ablaze.
He described the Houthis' actions as "reckless acts of terrorism" that endanger both human life and the delicate maritime ecosystem of the region.
Despite the Pentagon's assessment of a possible oil leak, other sources, including the European Union Naval Force, EUNAVFOR, have not confirmed significant evidence of a major spill as of yet.
However, the situation remains precarious, with Ryder indicating that the US military is actively monitoring developments.
Efforts to assist the Sounion have been thwarted by Houthi threats against tugboats dispatched to aid the vessel.
The ongoing conflict in the region has seen the Houthis assert that their attacks are aimed at vessels linked to Israel and its allies, amid a broader context of geopolitical tensions, especially in relation to the war in Gaza.
The situation remains under close scrutiny as the potential for an environmental crisis looms large.
