Qatar blamed Iran for the attack on a huge Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker, the Al Rekayyat, which reported being struck overnight by a drone that caused a fire in its engine room.
A Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker was at risk of exploding due to a fire in its engine room after the vessel was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker has four Indian crew onboard, reported ANI quoting sources. The vessel is proceeding to Dahej in India from Ras Laffan in Qatar, the report added. The incident took place in Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker ‘Al Rekayyat’ reported that it had been struck overnight and its engine room set on fire. “Mayday mayday mayday. This is vessel Al Rekayyat, LNG vessel Al Rekayyat. We are being hit by drone on port side, top of engine room,” the Rekayyat’s captain said in a recorded radio call reviewed by Reuters.
“Status: engine room fire and full of smoke. Unable to assess further damage.” He said the crew were safe, but the ship had been disabled without engines or steering, and called for help from any vessels in the area.
Iranian state television said the liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.
“On 07.07.2026, while transiting in the Arabian Sea, LNGC AL REKAYYAT reportedly experienced a suspected drone attack. The incident was reported to DGCOMM by the RPSL. Initial information indicates that the vessel sustained damage, and there are no casualties or environmental damaged reported. The vessel is proceeding to Dahej, India, from Ras Laffan, Qatar. Location of Incident is Gulf of Oman (near the Strait of Hormuz). There are a total of 29 seafarers on board the vessel, out of which four (04) are Indian nationals. It was informed that all the crew members are safe. The vessel’s engine room caught fire following the strike, resulting in heavy smoke,” ANI quoted sources as saying.