Qatar has accused Iran of striking a Qatari-flagged liquefied natural gas tanker near the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar claims Tehran endangered the vessel’s safe passage and violated international law.
“We demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran immediately cease all practices that undermine regional security or threaten the safety of international maritime navigation, and refrain from endangering global energy supplies and the resources of the countries of the region in pursuit of narrow interests,” said Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari on social platform X. “We hold it fully legally responsible for this attack and for any resulting damages and consequences.”
The incident coincided with the funeral ceremony for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was recently killed in an airstrike. Despite the accusations, Iran has not taken responsibility for the attack.
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations reported that the tanker was hit off the coast of Oman with a projectile, causing a fire onboard. The exact type of projectile remains unspecified. Iranian state media suggested the Qatari vessel was targeted after ignoring warnings.
Disputes over the control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for approximately 20% of the world’s oil and gas, have led to tensions between Iranian and U.S. forces. Both accuse each other of breaching a fragile ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military launched strikes against targets in Iran in response to Iran’s alleged attacks on several commercial ships in the strait. The U.S. Central Command stated that these actions aim to impose significant consequences on Iran for targeting civilian shipping.
In other developments, the Trump administration criticized China’s test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, describing it as concerning in light of U.S. efforts to curb nuclear proliferation.
The British military confirmed a commercial tanker was hit near the coast of Limah, Oman. The portside strike ignited the vessel, but no casualties or environmental damage were reported.
Additional reports featured the concerns expressed by Hillary Clinton targeting acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte, criticizing the lack of transparency and cooperation from some agencies.
Upcoming events include a conference hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a discussion by the Middle East Policy Council on U.S. Middle East policy and minority rights. The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission will also address the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia.
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