Two projectiles hit tanker in Persian Gulf, 72 miles off Ras al-Khafji

A tanker was struck by two unidentified projectiles in the Persian Gulf early on Monday, 2 November 2026, 72 nautical miles east of the Saudi port of Ras al-Khafji. UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the tanker was heading south-east when the two projectiles hit its port side.

According to UKMTO, the crew's condition is known and no environmental pollution has been reported so far. The tanker's name, flag and owner have not been disclosed, and no group or government has claimed responsibility for the attack. A few hours earlier, UKMTO had also reported another unidentified projectile hitting a vessel in the same waters.

Attack coincides with the end of the Doha talks

The attack came a few hours after the end of three days of talks between an Islamic Republic delegation and Qatari mediators in Doha; according to Reuters, the talks were held to bring the United States and the Islamic Republic back to direct negotiations. A diplomat involved in the process told Axios the talks had made positive progress.

In the same days, Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) confirmed that the LNG carrier Al-Maidah was hit by "unidentified objects" while crossing the Persian Gulf on the night of Friday, 30 October. Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the attack and said an investigation had begun to identify those responsible; Saudi Arabia also condemned it.

Insecurity for shipping in the Persian Gulf

Since the start of the US and Israeli strikes, the Islamic Republic has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and says ships need Tehran's permission to pass. The navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on the night of Sunday, 1 November, that two tankers had struck mines on an "unauthorised route" in the Strait of Hormuz; no independent source has confirmed the claim. US forces are guiding ships along a route south of the strait, close to the coast of Oman.

UKMTO recorded at least 35 attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz in October and called October the worst month for shipping since the war began. Donald Bloom, US assistant secretary of state, said in Manama on Sunday that they will not allow the Islamic Republic to hold the world economy hostage.

The tanker hit early on Monday was in the northern Persian Gulf, far from the Strait of Hormuz.