Doha confirms Qatar Energy tanker hit by missile from Iran

• Qatar Energy tanker struck by an Iranian missile in Qatar’s territorial waters; all 21 crew members safe.

A Qatar Energy-leased tanker was hit by a missile in Qatar’s territorial waters on Wednesday, authorities reported, blaming Iran for the attack.

According to the Qatari Ministry of Defense, the country was targeted by three cruise missiles launched from Iran. Qatari armed forces successfully intercepted two of the missiles, while the third struck the tanker, which was operating in Qatar’s economic waters.

The ministry said that all necessary procedures were immediately implemented to evacuate the vessel, which had 21 crew members on board, with no human casualties reported.

Qatar Energy confirmed that the attack targeted a fuel oil tanker leased to the company and stressed that the incident caused no environmental damage. The tanker was struck approximately 30 kilometers (17 nautical miles) north of Doha.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which first reported the incident, stated that the vessel was hit by two projectiles, one of which caused a fire that was later extinguished. The other projectile did not detonate. The organization added that the tanker’s hull was damaged above the waterline on its port side but that the crew was unharmed.

This incident marks a rare direct strike in the Gulf region, highlighting growing tensions between Iran and Gulf states amid ongoing regional conflicts.