A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker carrying Qatari cargo was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, is part of a broader wave of attacks that saw three commercial vessels hit within hours in the strategic waterway.
Qatar has formally denounced the strikes, highlighting the growing vulnerability of maritime trade routes in the Persian Gulf.
The attack on the LNG carrier has triggered a sharp repricing of energy risk.
Brent crude prices surged to their highest levels since the conflict escalated, reflecting market anxiety over potential disruptions to global energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas flows, and any direct threat to vessels carrying liquefied natural gas raises immediate concerns about supply continuity for key importing regions.