A tanker was struck by multiple projectiles off the coast of Qatar on Wednesday, with casualties reported, in the first attack deep inside the Persian Gulf in nearly a month. The incident, reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, marks an escalation of attacks on commercial shipping linked to the US-Iran conflict.
UKMTO said it received the report at around 1900 GMT on October 8. The vessel was hit roughly 51 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal, at Qatar's northern tip. The agency said casualties had been reported and that authorities were investigating, without identifying the ship or naming those responsible.
Maritime security sources identified the vessel as the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged chemical tanker Acers, and said crew members sustained minor injuries, according to Reuters. UKMTO's notice did not specify the number or severity of the casualties.
Attacks concentrated near Hormuz
The strike is the first reported attack this deep inside the Gulf since a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq, on September 9. Most attacks in recent weeks have been concentrated in or around the Strait of Hormuz: UKMTO reported nine attacks in the waterway in just the first seven days of October — about half the number reported in all of September.
Reuters also reported that Iran has warned regional countries that any attempt to open new routes for oil exports would be considered hostile, according to senior regional officials, as Gulf producers have rushed shipments through channels hugging the Omani side of the strait. A separate UKMTO notice said another tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, damaging its engine room; the crew was reported safe.
Oil markets on edge
The attack comes as the White House has asked the Pentagon to draw up strike options against Iran that could be executed before the US midterm elections, according to the Atlantic, citing administration officials. Oil prices surged on October 8, with Brent crude jumping nearly 5% above $105 a barrel on supply fears, as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — through which about a fifth of global oil and gas shipments normally pass — remains under threat.
Sources:
- Reuters: Attack risks rise for tankers as Iran vows to block more Hormuz routes
- Moneyweb (Bloomberg): Tanker attacked deep in Persian Gulf for first time in weeks
UKMTO said it received the report at around 1900 GMT on October 8. The vessel was hit roughly 51 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal, at Qatar's northern tip. The agency said casualties had been reported and that authorities were investigating, without identifying the ship or naming those responsible.
Maritime security sources identified the vessel as the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged chemical tanker Acers, and said crew members sustained minor injuries, according to Reuters. UKMTO's notice did not specify the number or severity of the casualties.
Attacks concentrated near Hormuz
The strike is the first reported attack this deep inside the Gulf since a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq, on September 9. Most attacks in recent weeks have been concentrated in or around the Strait of Hormuz: UKMTO reported nine attacks in the waterway in just the first seven days of October — about half the number reported in all of September.
Reuters also reported that Iran has warned regional countries that any attempt to open new routes for oil exports would be considered hostile, according to senior regional officials, as Gulf producers have rushed shipments through channels hugging the Omani side of the strait. A separate UKMTO notice said another tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, damaging its engine room; the crew was reported safe.
Oil markets on edge
The attack comes as the White House has asked the Pentagon to draw up strike options against Iran that could be executed before the US midterm elections, according to the Atlantic, citing administration officials. Oil prices surged on October 8, with Brent crude jumping nearly 5% above $105 a barrel on supply fears, as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — through which about a fifth of global oil and gas shipments normally pass — remains under threat.
Sources:
- Reuters: Attack risks rise for tankers as Iran vows to block more Hormuz routes
- Moneyweb (Bloomberg): Tanker attacked deep in Persian Gulf for first time in weeks
