By The SCM News Desk
QATAR has issued a blistering condemnation of Iran after a UAE-owned oil tanker was blasted by “suicide drones” in the world’s most dangerous shipping lane.
Doha’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lashed out at the “blatant violation” of international law following the strike on the Emirati vessel while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
The tanker, operated by the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), was reportedly struck by two drones. Qatar officials described the move as a “flagrant breach” of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which was specifically designed to protect global shipping from Iranian aggression.
In a rare and forceful display of solidarity with its neighbour, Qatar rejected the use of the Strait—a vital chokepoint through which 20% of the world’s oil flows—as a “tool of pressure.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said:
”The continued closure of the Strait would jeopardize the vital interests of countries in the region. Freedom of navigation is a firmly established principle that must not be compromised.”
Qatar called for the unconditional reopening of the waterway, which has been effectively blockaded during a period of spiralling regional conflict.
The drone strike is the latest flashpoint in the “2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis,” which has seen oil prices skyrocket past $120 per barrel.
Dual Blockade: Tensions have peaked as the US Navy and Iranian forces engage in a “dual blockade,” leaving hundreds of commercial ships stranded.
Trump Intervention: Earlier today, President Donald Trump announced plans for the US military to “guide” trapped vessels out of the Strait, a move Tehran has met with “warning shots” and further drone deployments.
Failed Ceasefire: Today’s attack effectively shatters a fragile, Pakistani-mediated ceasefire that had held since April 8.
The UAE has reported multiple interceptions of missiles and drones across the country today, including a strike that sparked a fire at an oil facility in Fujairah, injuring three people.
Qatar has reaffirmed its “full solidarity” with the UAE, backing any measures Abu Dhabi takes to protect its assets. Western intelligence agencies fear the attack on the ADNOC tanker signals Iran’s intent to return to “all-out maritime war” to force a lift on US sanctions.
For now, the world watches the Strait, where one more “mistake” could ignite a global energy catastrophe.
