The vessel had drawn significant scrutiny before the strike. According to maritime intelligence firm Windward, the Saudi-flagged tanker engaged in high-risk maneuvers, including a seven-day AIS blackout and multiple destination changes. The ship has remained dark since July 23, heightening regional tensions already strained by simultaneous Iranian ballistic missile strikes on U.S. bases. In response to the growing threat, Saudi Arabia is actively rerouting its crude exports. More than half a dozen empty supertankers are currently headed to Egypt’s Sidi Kerir port. By utilizing the SUMED pipeline, Riyadh aims to bypass the volatile Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, shifting its logistics infrastructure to maintain supply flows despite the Houthi-declared blockade.