Qatar says Iran fully responsible after tankers struck near Strait of Hormuz

What happened

The Guardian reports that Qatar has assigned full legal responsibility to Iran following attacks on three vessels, including a Qatari LNG tanker, close to Oman in the Strait of Hormuz. The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre confirms the Qatari ship Al Rekayyat was struck near Limah, Oman, with crew reports describing an attack by drone near the engine room.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, condemned the incident as a serious violation of international law. This marks the first time a Qatari vessel has been targeted since the outbreak of the conflict between the US and Iran on 28 February 2026, despite Qatar’s role as a mediator in related talks.

Iran’s foreign ministry denied responsibility and blamed the US, alleging that Washington’s attempts to open new shipping routes through the strait breach a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran. Iran asserts that the agreement grants it, in consultation with Oman, exclusive management over the reopening of the strait, aiming to restore commercial traffic to pre-war levels within 30 days.

Known from the source

• Three vessels, including a Qatari LNG tanker named Al Rekayyat, were struck near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz.
• The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre confirmed the attack on Al Rekayyat near Limah, Oman.
• Qatar has stated Iran bears full legal responsibility for the attacks.
• Iran blames the US for the incident, claiming US actions breach a memorandum of understanding over the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran insists it has the right to impose fees on ships transiting the strait as compensation for security services.

What remains unclear

At a Tehran briefing, Iranian officials emphasized Iran’s right to impose fees on all ships navigating the strait, justifying the charges as costs for securing safe passage. Iran rejected Oman’s proposal to create a new authority to manage the strait similar to those for the Malacca and Singapore straits, which levy fees only for specific navigational services excluding security. Iran’s position may face criticism as effectively demanding compulsory payments under threat of attack.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent verification of which actor carried out the attacks on the tankers. Verification of the extent of damage or casualties on the vessels involved. Confirmation from Oman or other regional authorities on maritime security developments or proposed shipping corridors.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: The Guardian Iran. Open the source.