Tanker Struck by Projectiles North of Qatar, Casualties Reported

A tanker sustained a multiple-projectile strike north of Qatar, and casualties were reported in the Persian Gulf outside the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel reported being hit at 3 p.m. ET (19:00 UTC) on Oct. 7, about 51 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal, Qatar. Authorities were investigating and advised vessels to transit with caution.

The number and severity of casualties were not disclosed. The vessel’s name, flag, cargo and operator were also not identified, and no suspected attacker was named.

The incident occurred in the Persian Gulf roughly four weeks after a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq. Recent attacks on commercial vessels have more often been reported in or near the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.