Tanker Attack Near Qatar as Iran Closes Hormuz Routes

A tanker was struck by multiple projectiles approximately 51 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal, Qatar, on Wednesday. The UK Maritime Trade Operations verified the attack and reported casualties among the crew. The strike is viewed as a tactical shift toward deliberately targeting crews to deter unauthorized transit in the region, as the attack occurred deep inside the Gulf rather than at the traditional chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident coincided with a surge in oil prices above $100 per barrel and a peak in weekly tanker strikes since the conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance began on February 28. Simultaneously, Mohammadreza Naqdi, an adviser to the Revolutionary Guards’ Commander, announced that Iran would close specific transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz, including a southern pathway near Oman, to stop illegal oil smuggling.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio disputed Iranian claims of total control over the waterway, asserting that oil flow has nearly returned to pre-war levels. In response to the escalating maritime pressure and the ongoing stalemate, President Donald Trump is reportedly considering the resumption of military operations against Iran. The United States is currently deploying a third aircraft carrier to the region to bolster its presence.