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Three tankers were hit in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday as Iran and the US engaged in heated exchanges. A Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker was
at risk of exploding due to a fire in its engine room, Reuters reported, citing a source, after the vessel was struck by a projectile in the strait. The incidents are the first reported attacks in the Strait of Hormuz since the funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader, late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, began. Just in, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said a third ship was hit by a drone in the critical oil-shipping waterway. The third ship sustained minor damage, with no one injured, and continued on its way, the UKMTO said.
'Mayday Mayday Mayday': Qatar's LNG Tanker Hit in Hormuz
The Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker 'Al Rekayyat' reported that it had been struck overnight and its engine room set on fire. "Mayday mayday mayday. This is vessel Al Rekayyat, LNG vessel Al Rekayyat. We are being hit by drone on port side, top of engine room," the Rekayyat's captain said in a recorded radio call reviewed by Reuters.
"Status: engine room fire and full of smoke. Unable to assess further damage." He said the crew were safe, but the ship had been disabled without engines or steering, and called for help from any vessels in the area.
Iranian state television said the liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.
Qatar Holds Iran Responsible After LNG Tanker Hit in Hormuz
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari has condemned the targeting of the 'Al-Rekayyat' tanker as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz and held Iran responsible for the attack. In a post on X, Al-Ansari said that it constituted an "aggression against the security and safety of international navigation, and the security of global energy supplies."
"...We demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran immediately cease all practices that harm regional security or threaten the safety of international navigation, and stop endangering global energy supplies and the capabilities of regional countries for the sake of narrow calculations, and we hold it fully legally responsible for this aggression and any damages and repercussions that may result from it," he added.
Saudi Oil Tanker Hit, No One Claims Responsibility
A Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker, believed to be the supertanker Wedyan, was also damaged off Oman's coast, maritime security sources told AP. The cause was not immediately clear.
There was no claim of responsibility for the attacks. Earlier, news website Axios reported that Iran had fired on two ships.
It comes as Iran said there would be no more peace talks unless US President Donald Trump halted his threats to restart the war, as millions of Iranians vowed vengeance at the week-long funeral of their Supreme Leader.
Iran's joint military command warned last Thursday that all oil tankers moving through the strait must use its approved routes. It also said that interference by US forces in the strait "will be met with a rapid and decisive reaction."
(With inputs from AP, Reuters)
