3 Tankers Hit in 24 Hours as Strait of Hormuz Attacks Fuel US-Iran Tensions

A third commercial tanker has come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours, raising fresh concerns over.

The security of one of the world’s busiest energy corridors as tensions between the United States and Iran continue despite an interim ceasefire aimed at paving the way for a broader peace agreement.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the latest vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the strategic waterway. No casualties or oil spill have been reported, but the incident marks the third attack on commercial shipping in a day, fuelling fears of renewed instability in the Gulf.

The latest strike follows two earlier attacks reported on Tuesday, including one on a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier and another involving a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker.

THIRD TANKER HIT IN HORMUZ

In a post on X, UKMTO said the tanker sustained structural damage after being hit by an unidentified projectile.

“The tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile and is believed to have structural damage.”

The British maritime security agency said there were no reports of injuries, pollution or an oil spill. It urged vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to exercise caution and immediately report any suspicious activity.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack.

QATAR BLAMES IRAN

Hours earlier, Qatar accused Iran of attacking its LNG carrier Al Rekayyat while it was sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Reuters, the vessel was struck by a drone, triggering a fire in its engine room. Although all crew members were reported safe, maritime security officials warned the blaze posed a serious explosion risk because the ship was carrying liquefied natural gas.

In an emergency radio transmission reviewed by Reuters, the ship’s captain called for immediate assistance.

“Mayday, mayday, mayday. This is vessel Al Rekayyat… We are being hit by drone on port side, top of engine room.”

“Status: engine room fire and full of smoke. Unable to assess further damage.”

Qatar strongly condemned the attack, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari calling it “an unacceptable attack on the security of international navigation and global energy supplies” and “a clear violation of international law.”

Doha said it holds Tehran “fully legally responsible” for the attack and any consequences arising from it, urging Iran to end actions that threaten regional security.

Meanwhile, a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker, believed to be the supertanker Wedyan, also sustained damage off the coast of Oman. Authorities have not confirmed whether it was struck by a drone, missile or another projectile.

SHIPPING ROUTE UNDER FRESH THREAT

The incidents are the first reported attacks on commercial shipping since nationwide mourning began in Iran following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the US-Israeli conflict earlier this year.

Iran has since stepped up its control over the Strait of Hormuz, including efforts to introduce a permanent transit-fee system for commercial vessels passing through the waterway.

The attacks also come despite a 60-day US-Iran interim ceasefire agreed last month to halt hostilities and create room for negotiations on a permanent peace deal. However, indirect talks held in Qatar last week ended without a breakthrough.

TRUMP RENEWS WARNING TO IRAN

As maritime tensions escalated, US President Donald Trump reiterated that military action remained on the table if diplomacy failed.

“We’re either going to make a deal or we’re going to finish the job. We can knock down their bridges in one hour, we can knock out their energy supply,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed the warning, urging Washington to honour the ceasefire memorandum.

“Honor your signature,” Araqchi wrote on X, referring to the interim agreement.