Tanker Hit by Projectiles Near Qatar as Iran Claims Mine Attacks
A tanker was struck by projectiles near Qatar as Iran claims mines damaged multiple ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
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A tanker was struck by two projectiles while traveling through the Persian Gulf off the coast of Qatar, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred approximately 50 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal, one of Qatar’s northernmost cities, near the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. The UKMTO bulletin stated that the status of the crew, damage assessment, and environmental impact remain unconfirmed.
Iran Claims Mine Attacks in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed that two oil tankers and a towboat struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz and caught fire. The IRGC alleged that the vessels were damaged while attempting to use “unauthorized passages” through the strait. The tugboat was reportedly damaged while trying to assist one of the other ships.
Additionally, the IRGC stated that its electronic warfare unit took control of two American LUCAS drones, forced them to land safely on Iranian soil, and captured them. The IRGC emphasized that its naval forces maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz and accused the United States of encouraging vessels to pass through the mined route, imposing heavy insurance costs on American taxpayers and regional allies.
Uncertainty Over Iran’s Claims
By Thursday afternoon, Iranian forces claimed that a total of five ships had been damaged while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, all by hitting naval mines. However, none of the ships were identified, and it was unclear if any of them were the one reported by the UKMTO. The National noted that there was “little to confirm Iran’s claims” in terms of publicly available information.
Last month, the UKMTO published a report indicating that it was struggling to confirm attacks in the Strait of Hormuz region due to many ships operating “dark,” with transponders turned off, and some vessels choosing not to report attacks they suffered while passing through the strait.
Source: Breitbart
