A tanker has been hit by multiple projectiles off the coast of Qatar, with casualties reported after the vessel came under attack in the western Gulf. The incident took place around 94 kilometres north of Madinat ash Shamal, according to maritime security information, raising fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the region. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has warned of a renewed rise in attacks targeting commercial vessels around the Strait of Hormuz. The latest tanker strike is particularly significant because the vessel was targeted in the western half of the Gulf, an area where similar attacks have been comparatively rare in recent weeks. WATCH

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has directly called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” while condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza. Speaking to Piers Morgan, Sheikh Mohammed said the situation in Gaza cannot be justified and reaffirmed that Qatar will continue to place diplomacy and mediation at the centre of its regional efforts. The remarks come amid continued tensions between Doha and Israel following the September 9, 2025 Israeli strike in Qatar, which targeted Hamas figures during ceasefire mediation efforts. Qatar has repeatedly described the strike as a violation of its sovereignty and stressed that the country’s role as a mediator would continue despite the attack. WATCH