Attack on Qatar: Cruise missile damages QatarEnergy oil tanker

Qatar’s Ministry of Defence said the State of Qatar was targeted on April 1 by three cruise missiles launched from Iran, in an incident that raised fresh security concerns in the Gulf.

According to the ministry, Qatari armed forces intercepted two of the missiles, while the third struck an oil tanker operating in territorial waters.

The vessel was leased to QatarEnergy.

Authorities said emergency procedures were promptly implemented, and coordination was carried out with relevant agencies to secure the tanker. All 21 crew members on board were safely evacuated, with no casualties reported.

Earlier, it was reported that a tanker operating in the Persian Gulf had been damaged after being struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Ras Laffan, maritime authorities said.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had received information about the incident, which occurred approximately 17 nautical miles north of Ras Laffan in Qatar.

The projectile hit the vessel on its port side, causing damage to the hull above the waterline.