World

Tanker Struck by Projectiles 94 km North of Qatar’s Madinat ash Shamal

By AFP and DPA

A tanker was hit by multiple projectiles 94 kilometres (58 miles) north of Madinat ash Shamal, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident, reported on Wednesday, is part of a recent increase in attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO did not disclose the number of casualties or the ship’s origin and said authorities were investigating. The attack is unusual for the western half of the Gulf; the Maritime Executive noted it was the first reported tanker attack there in weeks. Qatar has not commented, and the incident occurred within its exclusive economic zone. Historically, the Strait of Hormuz has been a target for attacks, handling about 125 large commercial vessels daily before the U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict began on February 28. Iran closed the strait in retaliation for U.S.–Israeli attacks, while Washington maintained a blockade on Iranian ports. UKMTO reported nine tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz this month, half of the September total for the waterway and the Gulf combined. Despite these attacks, Middle East crude exports have risen and, according to provisional data, have even surpassed pre‑war levels, with a seven‑day moving average of 18.3 million barrels per day on September 30, compared with about 18 million barrels per day in the 12 months before the war, per Kpler data.