Today: 14 October 2025
31 May 2022
2 mins read

US discusses risk of Red Sea oil spill with Saudi

Blinken in the call with the FM also highlighted the importance of international support for Ukraine amid Russia’ invasion and discussed the emerging food security crisis resulting from the war in Ukraine…reports Asian Lite News

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday (local time), in a call, thanked the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud for ceasefire efforts in Yemen and discussed efforts to avert the economic, environmental, and humanitarian threats posed by the Safer oil tanker in the Red Sea region.

State Department noted that the Safer oil tanker is a “rapidly decaying and unstable supertanker that contains four times the amount of oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez”.

Notably, on March 24, 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling 11 million gallons of oil. Large scale spill in an ecologically sensitive location resulted in one of the largest environmental disasters in US history.

On the dangers posed by the Safer oil tanker, the statement read, “It could leak, spill, or explode at any time, severely disrupting shipping routes in the Gulf region and other industries across the Red Sea region, unleashing an environmental disaster, and worsening the humanitarian crisis in Yemen,” the statement had read.

As per the release, by October, high winds and volatile currents will make the UN operation more dangerous and increase the risk of the ship breaking apart. In the event of a spill, the cleanup alone is expected to cost USD 20 billion.

Blinken in the call with the FM also highlighted the importance of international support for Ukraine amid Russia’ invasion and discussed the emerging food security crisis resulting from the war in Ukraine.

“The Secretary underscored the importance of international support for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity and emphasized the need for a global response to the food security crisis resulting from President Putin’s brutal war,” a statement by the State Department read.

Secretary Blinken and the Saudi Foreign Minister also discussed the challenge posed by Iran’s nuclear program and its “destabilizing behaviour in the region, and opportunities for greater cooperation on regional issues”. (ANI)

ALSO READ-UAE, Turkey review developing defence cooperation

Previous Story

UAE, Turkey review developing defence cooperation

Next Story

Dubai royal is first woman to pilot AW609 tiltrotor

Latest from -Top News

‘A Day to Rejoice’

In its statement, British Friends of Israel saluted the courage and resilience of the hostages and expressed deep sorrow for those who did not survive captivity After 737 days of anguish, the

UK to Lead Gaza Rebuild

PM announces an additional £20 million aid package aimed at providing essential water, sanitation and hygiene services to tens of thousands of people Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended the signing ceremony of

UK to host summit on Gaza recovery plan

The three-day conference, beginning Monday afternoon, will take place at Wilton Park, the Foreign Office’s policy forum based in West Sussex The UK will host an international summit on the recovery and

Gaza Truce Signed, Key Players Missing

Sisi reiterated support for the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire plan, stressing that the agreement must be “solidified and all its phases implemented…reports Asian Lite News A document formalising the recently brokered

Hamas Frees Captives

The Israeli Air Force announced that it has completed its preparations to receive hostages returning from Gaza to Israel….reports Asian Lite News The Red Cross has taken custody of the first group
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Police break up pro-Palestinian camp at the University of Michigan

At least four people were arrested, which caused protesters to

‘Make it in the Emirates’ draws interest from US firms

On day one, Omar Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of MoIAT, delivered