A tanker was struck overnight by an “unknown projectile” in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement from the British maritime security agency UKMTO. The strike caused a fire on the vessel, which was, however, extinguished in time; the crew is safe, and no environmental pollution has been reported. No details were released regarding the tanker’s flag, cargo, or destination.
The attack is the latest in a series of maritime incidents in the region since the outbreak of war in the Middle East on February 28, following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, Tehran’s closure of the strategic strait, and the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.
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Meanwhile, on the diplomatic front, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, is traveling to Tehran for talks with Iranian officials. At the center of the talks in Doha—which plays a key mediating role between Washington and Tehran—are the de-escalation of tensions, restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and a return to the status quo that existed prior to February 28.
Source: KYPE
