Several vessels in the Gulf were targeted by drones on Sunday, including a bulk carrier struck off the coast of Qatar, as Iran warned it would no longer exercise restraint if the United States attacks its ships.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said a bulk carrier reported being hit by an unidentified projectile northeast of Qatar’s Mesaieed port. The strike caused a small fire that was later extinguished, and no casualties were reported.
Qatar’s defence ministry said the vessel had been struck by a drone after entering Qatari waters from Abu Dhabi.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
In Tehran, Iranian officials issued fresh warnings after US forces disabled two Iranian-flagged vessels in the Gulf of Oman on Friday.
“Our restraint is over as of today,” said Ebrahim Rezaei, warning that any attack on Iranian vessels would trigger a strong response against American ships and bases.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a similar warning, saying attacks on Iranian tankers would prompt retaliation against U.S. interests in the region.
The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait also reported drone incursions into their airspace, saying their air defence systems intercepted the aircraft.
The incidents come as Washington awaits Tehran’s response to a US proposal aimed at extending a ceasefire and opening broader negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said recent US military actions in the Gulf had raised doubts about Washington’s commitment to diplomacy.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Qatari leaders over the weekend as Doha continued mediation efforts between the two sides.
