A third commercial tanker has reportedly been hit in the Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours, deepening concerns over.
The security of one of the world’s busiest oil shipping lanes as tensions between the United States and Iran continue despite an interim ceasefire agreement.
The latest incident comes after two separate attacks earlier in the day — one involving a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier and another targeting a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker — stoking fears of renewed threats to commercial shipping in the Gulf.
THIRD TANKER REPORTEDLY HIT
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the British naval agency that monitors shipping in the region, said the latest tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, UKMTO said the vessel is believed to have suffered structural damage.
“The tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile and is believed to have structural damage.”
The agency said no injuries had been reported and there were no immediate signs of pollution or an oil spill. It urged vessels operating in the area to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
QATAR ACCUSES IRAN AFTER LNG CARRIER ATTACK
The latest strike came hours after Qatar accused Iran of attacking its LNG carrier Al Rekayyat as it sailed through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Reuters, the vessel was hit by a drone that sparked a fire in the engine room. While the crew escaped safely, maritime security officials warned the blaze posed a significant explosion risk because the ship was carrying liquefied natural gas.
In an emergency radio message reviewed by Reuters, the ship’s captain appealed for immediate assistance.
“Mayday, mayday, mayday. This is vessel Al Rekayyat. We are being hit by drone on port side, top of engine room.”
“Status: engine room fire and full of smoke. Unable to assess further damage.”
Qatar condemned the attack, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari calling it “an unacceptable attack on the security of international navigation and global energy supplies” and “a clear violation of international law.”
Doha said it holds Tehran “fully legally responsible” for the attack and any consequences arising from it, urging Iran to stop actions that threaten regional stability.
Separately, a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker, believed to be the supertanker Wedyan, also sustained damage off the coast of Oman. Authorities have yet to determine whether it was struck by a drone or another type of projectile.
HORMUZ SECURITY UNDER FRESH SCRUTINY
The three incidents mark the first reported attacks on commercial shipping since nationwide mourning began in Iran following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the US-Israeli conflict earlier this year.
The attacks also come despite a 60-day interim ceasefire reached last month between Washington and Tehran, which was intended to halt hostilities and create space for negotiations on a broader peace agreement. However, indirect talks held in Qatar last week ended without a breakthrough.
Iran has meanwhile tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz and is pursuing plans to introduce a permanent transit-fee mechanism for commercial vessels using the strategic waterway.
TRUMP WARNS IRAN AGAIN
As tensions mounted, US President Donald Trump renewed his warning that military action remained an option if diplomacy failed.
“We’re either going to make a deal or we’re going to finish the job. We can knock down their bridges in one hour, we can knock out their energy supply,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejected the warning, urging Washington to honour the interim ceasefire agreement.
“Honor your signature,” Araqchi wrote on X, referring to the memorandum reached between the two countries.
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