Qatar Lodges Strong Protest with Iran After Tanker Attack in Strait of Hormuz

The Qatari government has summoned Iran’s Deputy Ambassador, Mohsen Mohammad Qanei, to deliver a formal protest note following an attack on a Qatari tanker near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The protest, lodged by the Director of the Protocol Department Ibrahim bin Yousuf Fakhro, expressed Doha’s firm rejection of the assault and demanded that Tehran immediately cease any actions threatening regional security and refrain from endangering global energy supplies.

The vessel involved, the Al-Rekayyat, is a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker owned and operated by Nakilat, the Qatar Gas Transport Company. It was reportedly one of two commercial ships struck by missiles near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening. The attack caused significant damage, including a fire in the engine room, but no casualties were reported among the crew.

In its response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected the accusations, with spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei asserting Tehran’s commitment to ensuring safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed that vessels transiting without coordination with Iranian authorities expose themselves to risk and disrupt Iran’s efforts to facilitate secure maritime traffic. Iranian state media, citing anonymous sources, alleged the Qatari tanker was targeted after ignoring repeated warnings while being supported by the US Navy. The incident prompted the United States to launch retaliatory strikes against more than 80 Iran-linked targets.