Tanker Hit by Projectiles Near Qatar as Iran Reports Mine Strikes

The Persian Gulf remains a focal point of maritime tension as multiple incidents were reported within hours of one another on Wednesday and Thursday. A tanker came under fire off the coast of Qatar, adding to a series of claims regarding naval mine strikes in the region's most critical shipping lane.

British military officials stated that a tanker was struck by two projectiles north of Madinat ash Shamal on Wednesday. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center did not identify the specific vessel. They reported that the status of the crew and the extent of the damage remained unconfirmed at the time of the report. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a separate development, Iranian state television reported that two oil tankers and a towboat struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. The broadcast said the vessels caught fire after the collisions. The report did not specify the flags of the ships or provide details on casualties. The claim has not been independently verified. The state media also cited the Revolutionary Guard, which said it seized two U.S. drones in the airspace above the strait.

Iran and Oman are attempting to coordinate on the issue of navigation. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The Omani ministry confirmed they discussed ways to resume safe passage through the strait. Tehran closed the waterway in February after U.S. and Israeli strikes launched the current war.

South Korea proposed expanding the operational area of its anti-piracy naval unit near Somalia. The expansion would include waters south of Oman. Defense Ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said the move addresses increased pirate activity linked to regional conflicts. She stated that South Korea would not join U.S. military operations to ensure freedom of navigation unless specific circumstances, such as an end to the war, were met.

Violence continued in other parts of the Middle East. In Amman, Jordan, an assailant killed a security officer near the Sri Lankan Embassy. Authorities described the incident as a terrorist act. The assailant was arrested after attempting to seize a weapon from the officer. A second officer intervened and was also injured. In Gaza, health officials said three Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes in separate locations.

Yemen’s Houthi-run Ministry of Health reported that seven people were killed and six were injured in two Saudi airstrikes on Thursday. Spokesperson Anees Al-Asbahy said one raid targeted a farm in Saada province. A Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a cruise missile over Medina. Israeli President Isaac Herzog held meetings with political parties to determine who will form the next coalition government. Both the United Arab List and the Joint List recommended former military chief Gadi Eisenkot for the task.