DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Two commercial tankers were hit by projectiles Tuesday while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to the British military, in the latest escalation affecting one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said one tanker caught fire after a projectile struck its port side as it transited south through the strait toward the Gulf of Oman. A second vessel sustained structural damage, though no injuries were immediately reported.
Tanker Catches Fire Off Oman
The first strike occurred near Limah, Oman, along the southern approach to the Strait of Hormuz. The UKMTO said authorities are investigating and reported no immediate environmental damage. The agency urged commercial vessels to exercise caution while transiting the area.
Iranian state television reported that the targeted liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring Iranian warnings but stopped short of an official claim of responsibility.
Qatar Blames Iran
Qatar identified one of the damaged vessels as the LNG tanker Al Rekayyat and condemned the strike as an attack on international navigation and global energy security.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari called the incident a serious violation of international law and said Doha holds Iran responsible.
Reuters, citing sources familiar with the incident, reported that Al Rekayyat was carrying liquefied natural gas and transmitted distress signals after a projectile struck near its engine room.
Second Tanker Also Damaged
A second vessel also sustained damage near the strait, according to maritime authorities and reports citing shipping sources.
CBS News, citing Reuters, reported the vessel is believed to be the Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker Wedyan. The exact cause of the damage was not immediately clear, and no injuries were reported aboard either ship.
Critical Waterway Under Renewed Threat
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Any disruption to commercial traffic can have immediate consequences for energy markets and international trade.
The attacks come amid renewed tensions between Iran, Gulf states, and the United States over navigation through the waterway. The United States, Oman, and the International Maritime Organization established a southern maritime transit corridor to reduce the risk to commercial shipping, but Iran has rejected the route as unauthorized, insisting that only shipping lanes approved by Tehran are safe.
Strikes Coincide With Khamenei Mourning
The attacks occurred as large crowds gathered across Iran for funeral ceremonies honoring Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian state television broadcast images of mourners making their way toward Jamkaran Mosque near Qom as the country observed an official period of mourning.
The timing adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile regional crisis, with commercial shipping, global energy markets, and U.S.-Iran diplomacy all facing growing pressure.
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