Two Ships Hit In Strait of Hormuz, Qatari Gas Tanker Reportedly At Risk Of Exploding

Two tankers, including a Qatari LNG vessel, were struck in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran-US tensions escalated.

A Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker was at risk of exploding Tuesday due to a fire in its engine room, reported Reuters, citing a source, after the vessel was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. Two tankers were hit in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran and the US engaged in heated exchanges.

The Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker Al Rekayyat reported that it had been struck overnight and its engine room set on fire.

“Mayday mayday mayday. This is vessel Al Rekayyat, LNG vessel Al Rekayyat. We are being hit by drone on port side, top of engine room,” the Rekayyat’s captain said in a recorded radio call reviewed by Reuters.

“Status: engine room fire and full of smoke. Unable to assess further damage.” He said the crew were safe but the ship had been disabled without engines or steering, and called for help from any vessels in the area.

A Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker, believed to be the supertanker Wedyan, was also damaged off Oman’s coast, maritime security sources told AP. The cause was not immediately clear.

There was no claim of responsibility for the attacks. Iranian state television said the liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.

Earlier, news website Axios reported that Iran had fired on two ships.

The incidents are the first reported attacks in the Strait of Hormuz since the funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, began.

Iran’s joint military command warned last Thursday that all oil tankers moving through the strait must use its approved routes. It also said that interference by U.S. forces in the strait “will be met with a rapid and decisive reaction.”

It comes as Iran said there would be no more peace talks unless Donald Trump repeated his threats to restart the war, as millions of Iranians vowed vengeance at the week-long funeral of their Supreme Leader.

(With inputs from AP, Reuters)