Three Tankers Including Qatari LNG Vessel Struck Near Strait of Hormuz

Three tankers including a Qatari LNG vessel were struck in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday amid Iran strikes, with Qatar directly blaming Iran for the attack on its ship Al-Rekayyat and holding Tehran fully legally responsible. [1] The incidents involved an unknown projectile hitting one tanker and causing a fire, followed by two more vessels struck, at least one by a drone, all near the Omani coastline with no casualties or environmental damage reported. [2] The attacks occurred after a fragile US-Iran ceasefire and the lifting of Iran's blockade of the strait, reviving concerns about freedom of navigation in the waterway that carries one-fifth of global traded oil and LNG. [3]

Sequence of Attacks on Tankers in the Strait of Hormuz

The string of attacks began when 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. [1] In the first incident, the ship was struck by an unknown projectile; in the second, the vessel was hit by a drone of unknown origin, UKMTO said. [2] Both ships sustained structural damage, according to UKMTO, though no casualties or environmental impact were reported in either case. [2] UKMTO has received a report of a further incident involving a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz, where the tanker was struck by an unknown Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle and has sustained minor structural damage, with no casualties or environmental impact reported. [3] The UKMTO added that the incidents are still under investigation. [2] According to Reuters, the captain of the Qatari Al Rekayyat LNG tanker made a Mayday radio call after the attack, saying the ship's engine room was on fire and full of smoke. [2] The captain added that he was unable to assess any further damage to the ship. [2] The vessel, LNGC Al-Rekayyat, was attacked while transiting the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, and the vessel's engine room caught fire following the strike, resulting in heavy smoke. [4] All three vessels were struck close to Oman. [1] The three attacks mark the most serious disruption in the Strait of Hormuz since Iran agreed to lift its blockade of the waterway following a fragile ceasefire with the United States. [3]

Two tankers burn after being struck near the Strait of Hormuz amid reported Iranian attacks. — Source: jerusalempost

Qatar's Direct Accusation Against Iran

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. [1] 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. [1] We hold Iran fully legally responsible for this attack and for any resulting damages or repercussions, he added. [1] Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al Ansari released a statement later on Tuesday criticizing the attack, describing the incident as a clear violation of international law. [2] Al Ansari added that Iran bore full legal responsibility for the attack, urging the country to immediately halt actions threatening regional security and maritime navigation. [2] Qatar accused Iran of carrying out the strike and warned that the attack threatened regional stability and global energy security. [3] 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, the security of global energy supplies, and a grave and explicit violation of international law, particularly the rules guaranteeing freedom of navigation and safe passage through international waterways, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. [4] 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, the statement continued. [4] We hold it fully legally responsible for this attack and for any resulting damages and consequences, the spokesperson added. [4] 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. [1]

Context of the Fragile US-Iran Ceasefire

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. [1] 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. [1] The three attacks mark the most serious disruption in the Strait of Hormuz since Iran agreed to lift its blockade of the waterway following a fragile ceasefire with the United States. [3] The incidents have revived fears over freedom of navigation through the narrow shipping lane, which carries around one-fifth of the world's traded oil and liquefied natural gas during normal times. [3] 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. [1] The attacks come despite the ceasefire that followed the conflict triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. [3] Although commercial shipping had gradually resumed after the agreement between Washington and Tehran, uncertainty has persisted over whether Iran would continue allowing unrestricted transit through the narrow waterway. [3] The latest strikes have also complicated the diplomatic role played by Qatar, which had helped broker the ceasefire between Iran and the United States and hosted indirect talks between the two countries last week. [3]

Dispute Over Maritime Corridors and Iranian Demands

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. [1] The latest incidents occurred close to the Omani coastline, where Oman has proposed a temporary maritime transit corridor allowing ships to sail closer to its territorial waters. [3] The initiative has been opposed by Iran, which has insisted that commercial vessels use routes approved by Tehran and has proposed introducing charges for ships passing through the strategic waterway. [3] 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. [1] Iran is sending a clear signal that no alternative will be accepted, Krieg said. [1] 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. [1] 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. [1] However, Iran has insisted there will be no return to pre-war arrangements, under which vessels could pass freely through the strait. [1] Tehran has made it clear that there will be no return to the pre-war arrangement under which vessels passed freely through the waterway without Iranian oversight. [3] The Joint Maritime Information Center, a multinational body overseen by the US Navy, had informed commercial shipping earlier this week that an alternative maritime route closer to Oman's coastline had been expanded and remained available to all vessels. [3]

Three tankers struck near Strait of Hormuz including Qatari LNG vessel Al-Rekayyat. — Source: timesofindia

Reactions from the United States and Iran

US news outlet Axios reported late on Monday that Iran had fired at least two missiles at commercial ships, citing two unnamed US officials. [1] Iran launched at least two missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, according to two U.S. officials cited by Axios. [5] The Pentagon did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. [1] The Pentagon did not immediately comment on the report. [3] Iranian state television reported that a liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings issued by Tehran, though the report stopped short of confirming Iranian involvement. [3] Iran has not officially claimed responsibility for any of the attacks. [3] US President Donald Trump reiterated Washington's warning to Tehran, saying Iran must reach a broader agreement with the United States. [3] I'd rather make a deal, because I don't want to affect 91 million people, Trump said at the White House on Monday. [3] We can knock down their bridges in one hour. We can knock out their energy supply, he added. [3]

Implications for Global Energy Security

The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the biggest sticking points in negotiations between Tehran and Washington following months of military confrontation. [3] The latest attacks have once again highlighted the vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG supplies pass. [3] Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the narrow channel could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets, freight costs and regional security, even as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent the conflict from escalating further. [3] The vessel was on its way to Dahej in Gujarat, carrying 29 crew members, including four Indians, and was en route from Ras Laffan in Qatar to Dahej when it was attacked. [4] Officials said all four Indian nationals on board are safe. [4] The attack is the latest in a series of incidents involving commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over the security of one of the world's busiest energy corridors. [4]

What to watch next: The future administration of the strait remains unresolved under the 14-point US-Iran memorandum of understanding, with Iran and Oman required to hold talks with other Gulf states, while the Pentagon has not commented on reports of Iranian missile strikes.