A vessel reported being hit by a projectile near Qatar’s Ras Laffan petroleum industry area early Thursday, according to the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Center, as tensions escalate in the Persian Gulf following a series of retaliatory strikes.
The incident occurred after Iran launched attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure in response to an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, which is shared with Qatar. Ras Laffan is one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export terminals.
President Donald Trump warned Iran against attacking Qatar, stating the U.S. Would “massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field” if Qatar’s infrastructure were targeted. Trump also said the U.S. Did not have prior knowledge of Israel’s attack on South Pars and vowed there would be “no more” such attacks on the gas field.
The attacks have paralyzed marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for global oil supplies, with Iran targeting commercial vessels for almost three weeks. Some nations have rejected Trump’s demands for assistance in reopening the waterway, prompting him to suggest other countries “be responsible” for its security. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated allies were discussing the “best way” to reopen the strait.
Despite U.S. And Israeli strikes against Iranian leadership, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has assessed the regime as “largely degraded” but “appears to be intact,” according to briefings to senators.
QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi reportedly warned U.S. And industry officials against an attack on Iranian energy infrastructure, anticipating the potential for retaliation, according to sources. This warning came prior to the Israeli strike on South Pars.
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Center reported that all crew members aboard the vessel hit off the coast of Qatar were safe and well, but did not identify the vessel or the nature of the projectile.
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