Authorities in Dubai said the fire on the tanker Al Salmi has been extinguished and all 24 crew members are unharmed.
According to Dubai authorities, Iran carried out a drone strike on a fully loaded oil tanker docked at the port. The attack set the vessel on fire and damaged its hull, but it was later confirmed that no oil spill occurred.
Following a report by Kuwait’s state news agency about the attack, oil prices briefly surged, The Guardian reported. The tanker was carrying about 2 million barrels of oil worth more than $200 million at current prices, it added.
According to analysts, the tanker was transporting oil from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, with its final destination being Qingdao, China.
On March 28, it was reported that the tanker P. Aliki, carrying about 650,000 barrels of Saudi oil to Pakistan, passed through the Strait of Hormuz, along with several other vessels, including those carrying liquefied gas.
On March 24, Bloomberg reported that Iran is charging ships up to $2 million for a single passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran later said that “non-hostile” vessels may pass through the strait provided they coordinate their movements with Iranian authorities.
On March 25, AFP reported that Britain and France will lead military talks on forming a coalition to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. About 30 countries are expected to take part.
On March 28, foreign ministers of the G7 agreed to ensure the security of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, but only after the end of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran.