On Tuesday, informed sources reported that a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker and a Saudi-flagged oil ship suffered damage near the Strait of Hormuz. This followed reports that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard fired missiles at two vessels as they traversed the waterway overnight.
The LNG tanker, named "Ruqayah," sent distress signals seeking assistance after being targeted on the port side, according to a source.
Additional sources indicated that the ship's crew members are unharmed and are being evacuated. However, the engine room caught fire and filled with smoke, making it impossible for the crew to assess further damage.
The captain of the "Ruqayah" recorded a distress call, shared by Reuters, indicating: "SOS... This is the LNG ship Ruqayah. We're under drone attack on the port side, above the engine room."
He added: "Status: Fire in the engine room, filled with smoke. We cannot evaluate additional damage."
This incident marks the first time a Qatari LNG ship has been targeted since the conflict with Iran escalated at the end of February, despite Qatar's role in mediating talks between Washington and Tehran.
The Iranian missile attacks severely damaged Qatari LNG facilities during the ongoing conflict.
A Saudi-flagged tanker, believed to be the giant tanker "Wadiyaan," was also damaged off Oman's coast, according to maritime security sources, although the exact cause remains unknown.
The LNG tanker "Ruqayah" is owned and operated by Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited (Nakilat), which manages one of the largest LNG fleets globally.
Shipping data from the London Stock Exchange revealed that the last location signal from "Ruqayah" was sent on June 18, suggesting that the ship was sailing with its transponders turned off.
The Saudi shipping company Bahri owns and operates the "Wadiyaan."
A source quoted by Reuters stated: "If we use Iranian waters, which are 100% safe, it means dealing with Iranians and acknowledging their control over the Strait of Hormuz. If we pass through the U.S.-Omani corridor, you risk being targeted."
The source continued: "The U.S. grants passage permission, but if anything happens en route, they say it's your decision to either proceed or turn back."
Earlier, Axios cited American officials stating that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard launched at least two missiles at commercial vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening. An American official mentioned that two commercial vessels sustained major damage with no casualties.
One source reported that "Ruqayah's" location at the time of the attack matched the coordinates in a British Maritime Trade Operations warning, suggesting it was the targeted vessel.
The British Maritime Trade Operations announced early Tuesday that a fire broke out on a tanker after being hit by an unknown projectile on its port side while sailing south, approximately 15 kilometers east of Lima, Oman.