Iran Hits Qatari Oil Tanker with Missile Attack

What Happened?

Iran struck a Qatar owned oil tanker with a missile attack, according to Qatar’s Defense Ministry. Qatar’s Defense Ministry also said there were three missiles fired at one of its tankers, the Aqua 1, and two of those missiles were intercepted while the third struck the tanker, causing damage. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Iran’s attacks had crossed a red line, and that the attacks were having a ‘catastrophic effect on the relationship between the two countries.’ 

Iran still insists it is not targeting its neighbors, even as several neighboring countries have reported damage to ships and oil infrastructure from missile and drone attacks believed to have originated from inside Iran. 

Why it Matters

Qatar has been accused by Israel of aiding Iran by broadcasting Iranian propaganda throughout the Middle East, a charge Qatar denies. Prior to the current war, Qatar and Iran had relatively good relations, but the attack on Qatari ships and oil infrastructure has caused mistrust and suspicion to grow between them. Qatar has yet to undertake any military action against Iran, and has a limited capacity to do so, but more attacks on Qatar could result in Qatar joining the war.

Iran’s attack on neighboring countries and their oil infrastructure will likely cause damage to the relationships between those countries that will last long after the oil refineries have been repaired. Qatar hosts an enormous American military base but is also trying to play the role of mediator in the ongoing war with Iran, much as Qatar tried to mediate the war between Israel and Hamas. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry also says they support efforts by Pakistan to try to find a way to bring the war between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. to an end.

While Qatar presents itself as a moderate Arab nation, many within Qatar reject moderate stances to international crises such as the war with Iran. Yesterday, the Qatari state daily Al-Sharq published an article that accused the U.S. and Israel of forming an ‘Axis of Evil’ against Iran. Qatar has also hosted high-ranking members of Hamas, allowing them to live in Qatar for years, which has opened Qatar to criticism that it supports extremism. 

How it Affects You

Even without direct attacks by drones or missiles on ships or oil refineries, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has caused neighboring countries to halt their shipments of oil and natural gas, both of which are key revenue sources for those nations. When the war with Iran is over, the political dynamics between Iran and its neighbors will likely be changed for good. 

Countries like Qatar are already indicating their patience for Iranian attacks is wearing thin, and if those countries join the war effort directly, it could escalate into a truly regional conflict.