Qatar has accused Iran of attacking a Qatari-flagged liquefied gas tanker near the Strait of Hormuz. The incident is said to threaten vessels’ safe passage and breach international law. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry demands that Iran halt actions undermining regional security and maritime navigation.

We hold Iran fully responsible for the attack and its consequences, stated Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry. Iran has not taken responsibility for the attack. A UK-affiliated maritime organization reported a tanker was hit by a projectile near Oman. Details on the projectile type remain unclear; it caused a fire on the ship.

Iran, claiming control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, has previously been involved in tensions over maritime control. The strait is a crucial passage for global oil and gas supplies, carrying about 20% of these resources.

In response, the U.S. military has launched strikes against Iran due to attacks on several commercial vessels. The U.S. Central Command emphasized imposing significant costs on Iran for threatening commercial maritime safety.

In other news, the U.S. State Department criticized China’s missile launch, highlighting concerns over nuclear proliferation. Tensions around defense and international security remain high.