Qatari authorities on Tuesday directly pointed to Iran for the "unacceptable attack" against a Qatari-flagged oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, demanding that Tehran "immediately cease all practices that undermine regional security or threaten the security of international maritime navigation."
The spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Majed al Ansari, stressed that "the attack on the Qatari vessel 'Al Rekayyat' while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an unacceptable attack on the security of international maritime navigation, the security of global energy supply, and a serious and manifest violation of International Law, particularly the rules guaranteeing freedom of navigation and safe passage through international waterways."
In a message disseminated on social media, Al Ansari reiterated: "We demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran immediately cease all practices that undermine regional security or threaten the security of international maritime navigation, and that it refrain from endangering the global energy supply and the resources of the countries in the region in pursuit of particular interests."
The spokesperson also remarked that Qatar "holds Iran fully responsible" for this incident and for "the damages and consequences" that may arise, while Iranian authorities have not yet offered an official version of what happened. However, Iranian media, citing their own sources, have indicated that the tanker was attacked after it attempted to cross the strait with the support of the US Navy.
In parallel, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Iran's Deputy Chargé d'Affaires, Mohsen Mohamad Qanei, this same Tuesday to deliver a formal note of protest related to the attack on the Qatari oil tanker.