UK military reports tanker hit by two projectiles off Qatar
Iranian state media separately claims three ships struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz as South Korea weighs expanding anti-piracy operations.
By Robert Marshall ·
The British military confirmed on Thursday that a tanker was struck by two projectiles in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday. The incident occurred 50 nautical miles north of the Qatari city of Madinat ash Shamal. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center stated that the status of the crew remains unconfirmed. No immediate claim of responsibility has been filed for the attack.
The center did not identify the vessel or the country whose flag it flies. Officials said the extent of physical damage and potential environmental impact are currently unknown. This incident adds to a series of maritime disruptions in the region. UK military operators have noted that tracking attacks has become difficult as many ships refuse to report incidents.
The latest reports from the Middle East emerged on Thursday. These developments follow the U.S. and Israel attacking Iran in February. That conflict launched the current war and led Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz. The strait carries roughly 20 percent of the world's oil supply during peacetime. Maritime security remains a central concern for global trade routes in the area.
Iranian state television reported on Thursday that two oil tankers and a towboat struck naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The report stated that all three vessels caught fire. State media did not provide details on casualties or the nationalities of the ships. The claim has not been independently verified by other observers on the scene.
Iranian television quoted a statement from the Revolutionary Guard. The statement said the Guard seized two U.S. drones in the airspace over the strait. The Guard frequently issues similar declarations about targeting vessels and damaging oil tankers in the waterway. These reports align with previous patterns of engagement in the region.
South Korea’s military proposed expanding the operational area of its anti-piracy naval unit on Thursday. The Cheonghae unit is currently deployed near Somalia. The proposal would extend its mission to include waters south of Oman. Defense Ministry spokesperson Chung Binna stated that the expansion is a response to increased pirate activity linked to Middle East conflicts.
Chung said the possible expansion would not involve South Korea in the U.S. war with Iran. She stressed that the country would not directly participate in military operations to ensure freedom of navigation near the Strait of Hormuz unless specific conditions were met. Those conditions include an end to the war with Iran or an agreement to stop the fighting. The proposal requires approval from President Lee Jae Myung and the national legislature.
The expanded operational area would reach the port of Duqm. This location is more than 650 kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz. The unit would receive additional equipment and personnel under the new plan. This includes patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal team. The changes aim to bolster security without direct combat involvement in the primary theater of war.
In Jordan's capital, authorities reported that an assailant killed a security officer on Thursday. The attack took place near the Sri Lankan Embassy. Jordan’s Public Security Directorate said a member of its forces was assaulted with a sharp object and died. An investigation into the incident has been opened. The directorate provided no further details on the suspect's identity or motivation.
State-run Al-Mamlaka TV reported that the assailant was arrested. The report said the attacker attempted to seize the weapon from the security officer. A second security officer intervened during the struggle. Both the assailant and the second officer sustained injuries. The Sri Lankan embassy confirmed the attack occurred in its vicinity but did not elaborate on the status of its staff.
This incident follows a series of violent events in Jordan. Weeks ago, gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a church in the south of the country. That attack killed nine people and wounded dozens more. The latest shooting underscores the continued security challenges facing the region. Authorities continue to monitor the situation in the capital and surrounding areas.
