Amid escalating security concerns in and around the Strait of Hormuz, only nine Indian-flagged vessels remain in the Persian Gulf region, west of the strategic
waterway, with 198 Indian seafarers onboard, official sources told Times Now. The update comes after it was reported that a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker carrying four Indian crew members was struck by a projectile, triggering a fire in its engine room and raising fears of a possible explosion. The vessel, which was sailing from Ras Laffan in Qatar to Dahej in Gujarat, was attacked in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the damage, the tanker is continuing its voyage, ANI reported, citing sources. The incident was part of a broader escalation in the region. According to the British military, two other commercial tankers were also struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. The latest attacks have once again heightened concerns over the safety of one of the world's busiest energy corridors, threatening to disrupt global shipping and energy supplies.
Middle East on the brink again
Iran has accused the United States of repeatedly violating the agreement meant to bring the Iran War to an end, opening a new dispute over the fragile truce after US forces struck sites around the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran's foreign ministry warned of “decisive measures” in response and also pointed to Washington's decision to restore sanctions on Iranian oil sales. The US Military says Iran, not Washington, broke the ceasefire by attacking three commercial vessels moving through the strategic waterway.
Both sides are now invoking the same peace arrangement to justify sharply different actions. The memorandum of understanding signed last month was supposed to begin a 60-day negotiating period on Iran's nuclear programme and a permanent end to hostilities, yet military exchanges and maritime incidents have continued. Wednesday's strikes have pushed that disagreement into the open: Washington calls them an immediate response to Iranian aggression, while Tehran says the US has established a pattern of breaching the deal.
