Merchant ships appear in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran. (AP photo)
NEW DELHI: Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz escalated sharply on Tuesday after a third commercial tanker was targeted in 24 hours, raising renewed concerns about the security of one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
The latest incident came at a time when Qatar placed the blame directly on Iran for an attack on one of its liquefied natural gas ships, describing it as an “unacceptable” attack on international maritime navigation.UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the British military’s maritime security agency, said the latest tanker was struck by an unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.“UKMTO has received a report of another incident involving a tanker crossing the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was struck by an unmanned unmanned aerial vehicle and sustained minor structural damage. No injuries or environmental impacts were reported,” the agency said in a post on X.The attack followed two previous incidents reported by the UKMTO. In one case, a tanker was hit by an “unidentified projectile,” causing a fire, while another ship suffered structural damage after being hit by what the agency described as an “unidentified projectile.”
No injuries or oil spills were reported in any of the three incidents.The three attacks represent the most serious disruption in the Strait of Hormuz since Iran agreed to lift its blockade of the waterway following a fragile ceasefire with the United States. These incidents revived concerns about freedom of navigation through the narrow shipping lane, which carries about a fifth of the world’s trade in oil and liquefied natural gas during normal times.Among the ships targeted was the Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker Al-Rakyat. Qatar accused Iran of carrying out the attack and warned that the attack threatens regional stability and global energy security.Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari said in a statement published on theHe added: “We hold Iran fully legally responsible for this attack and for any damages or repercussions resulting from it.”Iran has not officially claimed responsibility for any of the attacks. But Iranian state television reported that a liquefied natural gas tanker was attacked after warnings issued by Tehran were ignored. The report did not go so far as to confirm Iranian involvement.The latest incidents occurred near the Omani coast, where Oman proposed a temporary sea transit corridor that would allow ships to sail close to its territorial waters.
Iran has opposed the initiative, insisting that commercial ships use routes approved by Tehran and proposing to impose fees on ships passing through the strategic waterway.The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the biggest sticking points in negotiations between Tehran and Washington after months of military confrontation. While the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding last month aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the shipping route, the future management of the strait remains unresolved.Under the 14-point US-Iranian memorandum of understanding, Iran and Oman are required to hold talks with other Gulf states to determine future management and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz. However, Tehran has made clear that there will be no return to pre-war arrangements under which ships passed freely through the waterway without Iranian supervision.According to security analyst Andreas Krieg of King’s College London, the recent attacks appear aimed at strengthening Tehran’s position during negotiations.“We are now in a sensitive period where potential alternatives to the Iranian toll or fee system are being explored,” Craig told AFP.He added, “Iran is sending a clear signal that no alternative will be accepted.”He added that “tankers that attempt to deviate through the Omani sea corridor without registering with the Iranian authority will be punished,” describing the attacks as a “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement and international law.The American news site Axios, citing unnamed American officials, reported that Iran fired at least two missiles at commercial ships. The Pentagon did not immediately comment on the report.The attacks come despite a ceasefire that followed the conflict sparked by US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Although commercial shipping gradually resumed after the agreement between Washington and Tehran, uncertainty remained over whether Iran would continue to allow unrestricted transit through the narrow waterway.The recent strikes have also complicated Qatar’s diplomatic role. Doha helped broker a ceasefire between Iran and the United States and hosted indirect talks between the two countries last week. Earlier in the conflict, Qatar refused to mediate while Iran launched air attacks across the Gulf.The Joint Maritime Information Center, a multinational body overseen by the US Navy, informed merchant shipping earlier this week that an alternative sea route closer to the Omani coast had been expanded and remained available to all ships.
However, recent attacks have occurred near that particular corridor, raising new concerns about its safety.Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump repeated Washington’s warning to Tehran, saying that Iran must reach a broader agreement with the United States.“I’d rather make a deal, because I don’t want to affect 91 million people,” Trump said at the White House on Monday. “We can knock down their bridges in an hour. We can cut off their power supply.”The recent attacks have once again highlighted the vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass. Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the narrow canal could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets, shipping costs and regional security, even as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent the conflict from escalating further.