The British military reported Thursday that a tanker was struck by projectiles in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Qatar, while Iranian state television claimed that two oil tankers and a towboat had hit mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO), the attack occurred approximately 50 nautical miles (57 miles; 92 kilometers) north of Madinat ash Shamal, a city in Qatar. The UKMTO did not identify the vessel or its flag, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility. The extent of the damage and any environmental impact remain unknown, and the status of the crew has not been confirmed.
The incident underscores the volatile security situation in the region, which has been exacerbated by the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. The UKMTO noted last month that it was struggling to accurately report the true number of attacks, as many ships now refuse to report incidents for fear of reprisal or insurance complications.
South Korea Proposes Expanding Anti-Piracy Mission
In a related development, South Korea's military has proposed expanding the operational area of its anti-piracy naval unit, currently deployed near Somalia, to include waters south of Oman. Defense Ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said Thursday that the move is a response to increased pirate activity linked to the Middle East conflicts. She emphasized that South Korea would not directly participate in U.S. military operations near the Strait of Hormuz unless certain conditions are met, such as an end to the war or a ceasefire agreement.
The proposed expansion would extend the Cheonghae unit's reach to waters near the port of Duqm, over 650 kilometers (403 miles) from the Strait of Hormuz. The unit would also receive additional equipment, including patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal team. The changes require approval from President Lee Jae Myung and the legislature.
Iranian State TV Reports Mine Strikes and Drone Seizures
Iranian state television reported Thursday that two oil tankers and a towboat caught fire after striking mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The report, citing the Revolutionary Guard, also claimed that the Guard seized two U.S. drones in the airspace over the strait. These claims could not be independently verified, and no details on casualties or vessel flags were provided. The Revolutionary Guard routinely makes similar statements about targeting vessels and damaging tankers in the strait.
The strait, through which roughly 20% of the world's oil passed during peacetime, has been largely closed to shipping since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February, sparking the war.
Security Officer Killed in Amman Attack
In Jordan, an assailant killed a security officer near the Sri Lankan Embassy in Amman on Thursday. Jordanian authorities described the attack as a terrorist act. The Public Security Directorate said the officer was assaulted with a sharp object and died in a "cowardly terrorist attack." The attacker was arrested after attempting to seize the officer's weapon, and a second officer was injured in the incident. The attack comes weeks after gunmen opened fire at a church funeral in southern Jordan, killing nine people.
Iran and Oman Discuss Strait of Hormuz Navigation
Iranian and Omani foreign ministers have discussed resuming navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Oman's Foreign Ministry. The two ministers spoke by phone, reviewing efforts to reach practical, political, and technical understandings to reopen the waterway. They had previously met in Tehran in August to discuss a framework for managing ship traffic in the strait.
Israeli Coalition Talks Continue
Israeli President Isaac Herzog continued meetings with political parties Thursday to determine who will get the first mandate to form a coalition government. The likely candidates are current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party declined to recommend either candidate, potentially boosting Eisenkot's chances. However, Eisenkot would still face significant hurdles in building a coalition.
