Bulk Carrier Hit by Unknown Projectile Off Qatar, Fire Out, No Injuries

Overview

• The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha, causing a small fire that was extinguished with no injuries.
• UKMTO, a British military maritime advisory service, issues alerts to ships transiting high-risk waters and did not attribute responsibility for the strike.
• In a separate statement, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy warned the United States and its allies that any strike on Iranian tankers or commercial vessels would draw a heavy and decisive response.
• The IRGC said its forces exercise complete control over the Strait of Hormuz and are on high alert to protect Iranian shipping.
• Iranian state media framed the fire as part of a string of Gulf incidents, while its extraordinary claim of a U.S.-Israeli war and assassinations on February 28 remains disputed and uncorroborated by independent sources.