Three tankers struck in Strait of Hormuz as Qatar blames Iran

Three ships struck in Hormuz flare-up, Qatar slams Iranian attack

Three tankers including a Qatari LNG vessel were struck within hours in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime monitors and Qatar said on Tuesday, with peace mediator Doha denouncing an “unacceptable” Iranian attack. An “unknown projectile” hit a tanker overnight, causing a fire, before two more were hit, at least one by a drone, British maritime security agency UKMTO said. The string of attacks after more than a week of respite revived concerns about freedom of navigation after Iran lifted its blockade of the vital waterway following a fragile ceasefire with the United States. All three vessels were struck close to Oman. Oman had proposed a temporary transit corridor hugging its coastline in an initiative opposed by Iran, which wants to charge ships using the narrow waterway. Qatar, which helped broker the truce, blamed Iran for the attack on its tanker and urged Tehran to “cease all practices that undermine regional security or threaten the safety of international maritime navigation”. “The targeting of the Qatari vessel ‘Al-Rekayyat’ while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an unacceptable attack on the security and safety of international maritime navigation,” Doha’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari wrote on X. “We hold Iran fully legally responsible for this attack and for any resulting damages or repercussions,” he added. The attacks came despite the ceasefire between the US and Iran in the Middle East war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Tehran in late February. The future of Hormuz, the main route for Gulf energy exports, has been a sticking point during talks between Tehran and Washington to permanently end the conflict. ‘Clear signal’ “We are now in a sensitive period where potential alternatives to an Iranian toll or fee system are being explored,” Andreas Krieg, a security expert at King’s College London, told AFP. “Iran is sending a clear signal that no alternative will be accepted. “Tankers trying to diverge through the Omani maritime corridor without registering with the Iranian authority will be punished,” Krieg added, calling it a “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement and international law. US news outlet Axios reported late on Monday that Iran had “fired at least two missiles at commercial ships”, citing two unnamed US officials. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. Maritime traffic had tentatively resumed after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding last month aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the strategic route. However, Iran has insisted there will be no return to pre-war arrangements, under which vessels could pass freely through the strait. Under the 14-point US-Iran memorandum of understanding, Iran and Oman, which border Hormuz, must hold talks “to define the future administration and maritime services” in the key waterway with other Gulf states. Qatar had previously refused to enter into mediation under Iranian fire as Tehran launched an unprecedented aerial bombardment against Gulf states in retaliation for the US-Israeli strikes. However, Doha has played an increasingly active role in negotiations, hosting indirect talks between Iran and the US last week.

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Third tanker hit in Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours as Qatar blames Iran, raising fears over global energy route

Commercial tankers faced escalating attacks in the Strait of Hormuz recently. Qatar blamed Iran for an unacceptable assault on its liquefied natural gas vessel. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported three tanker incidents within 24 hours. These attacks threaten regional stability and global energy security significantly. Diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

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Three tankers hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

Three tankers hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz Three tankers were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the British military said, in the latest attacks targeting vessels moving through the narrow mouth of the Gulf. The attacks threatened to choke off traffic through the strait just as countries had hoped to restore normal shipping practices and ease the global economic strain of the war between the US and Iran. One tanker was travelling off the coast of Oman and caught fire, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre. Iranian state television said the liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings, but did not directly claim responsibility for the assault. Two other tankers were also hit, including one that was struck by a drone. It was not immediately clear where they were at the time of the attacks. Both ships sustained some damage, but no injuries were reported, the maritime agency said. At least one of the vessels continued on its way. Tehran, which has repeatedly declared that only its approved route through the strait is safe, is suspected of attacking other ships that have used another route close to the Omani shore.

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Three tankers struck within hours in Hormuz, Qatar slams Iran

Three tankers struck within hours in Hormuz, Qatar slams Iran Three tankers, including a Qatari LNG vessel, were struck within hours in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting peace mediator Doha to denounce an "unacceptable" Iranian attack. An "unknown projectile" hit a tanker overnight, causing a fire, before two more were hit, at least one by a drone, the British maritime security agency UKMTO said. Earlier in the day, citing anonymous sources, Iran's national broadcaster IRIB said an oil tanker attempting to pass through the Omani route in the Strait of Hormuz was attacked "after ignoring repeated warnings". The string of attacks after more than a week of respite revived concerns about freedom of navigation. All three vessels were struck close to Oman.  Oman had proposed a temporary transit corridor hugging its coastline in an initiative opposed by Iran, which wants to charge ships using the narrow waterway. Qatar, which helped broker the truce, urged Tehran to "cease all practices that undermine regional security or threaten the safety of international maritime navigation". (Reporting by AFP)

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