Three oil tankers were attacked within a 24-hour period in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, intensifying security concerns despite an ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the latest incident involved an unidentified drone striking an oil tanker. The attack caused minor structural damage, but there were no casualties or environmental impacts. The vessel continued its voyage after the incident.
Earlier, two other tankers were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz near the coast of Oman. One vessel caught fire after being hit on its port side by what UKMTO described as a missile or projectile while heading toward the Gulf of Oman. Another tanker also sustained structural damage. No injuries were reported in either attack.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, condemned the attack on the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat, calling it an “unacceptable assault” on international navigation and global energy security. He described the incident as a “serious and blatant violation” of international law and held Iran legally responsible.
Iranian state television, however, reported that the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier was targeted after repeatedly ignoring warnings. Tehran stopped short of explicitly claiming responsibility for the attack.
Last week, Iran’s Joint Military Command ordered all oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz to follow designated routes and warned that any US military intervention in the area would receive a “swift and severe response.”
Although Washington and Tehran signed a 14-point ceasefire agreement last month, UKMTO has warned that the security risk in the Strait of Hormuz remains high.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that US-Iran negotiations may remain suspended until the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, is completed. Mourners attending the funeral were seen chanting slogans against Donald Trump.
