Iran Strikes Gas Tanker in Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions

Iran announced on Tuesday that it attacked a gas tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the vessel ignored warnings. Iranian state media cited anonymous sources suggesting Tehran was behind the strike, though no official responsibility was claimed by the Islamic Republic. Reports from the United States indicated the tanker, reportedly Qatari-owned, was hit along with another ship passing through the strait. The Wall Street Journal identified the damaged vessel as the Al Rekayyat, a Qatari liquefied gas carrier, which suffered a fire in its engine room but no casualties.

The British Maritime Trade Operations agency reported the tanker was attacked near Oman, about 15 kilometers east of the port of Lima, with no environmental damage or injuries. The incident occurred shortly after talks in Qatar between the involved parties failed to produce significant progress toward a final agreement. Despite this, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism about Iran's nuclear disarmament, citing positive meetings.

The attack coincided with Iran's mourning events for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated by Israel in late February. Large crowds gathered in Tehran and other cities, calling for revenge against the U.S. and Israel. Recent days saw a pause in negotiations as Iran focused on the funeral events. Earlier last month, a series of exchanges of fire between the U.S. and Iran occurred after Revolutionary Guards attacked ships in the Strait without cause, prompting U.S. retaliatory strikes and further Iranian attacks in Bahrain.

Experts told The New York Times that Iran’s attacks aim to leverage its new capability to disrupt traffic through the Strait, impacting the global economy. Although a memorandum of understanding was supposed to ensure free navigation, Iran has designated specific shipping lanes and ordered vessels to use only approved routes. Many ships, however, continue to use a southern route near Oman's coast, which Iran views as justification for its attacks.