Three tankers struck within hours in Hormuz, Qatar slams Iran

Three tankers struck within hours in Hormuz, Qatar slams Iran

Three tankers, including a Qatari LNG vessel, were struck within hours in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting peace mediator Doha to denounce an "unacceptable" Iranian attack.

An "unknown projectile" hit a tanker overnight, causing a fire, before two more were hit, at least one by a drone, the British maritime security agency UKMTO said.

The string of attacks after more than a week of respite revived concerns about freedom of navigation. All three vessels were struck close to Oman. 

Oman had proposed a temporary transit corridor hugging its coastline in an initiative opposed by Iran, which wants to charge ships using the narrow waterway.

Qatar, which helped broker the truce, urged Tehran to "cease all practices that undermine regional security or threaten the safety of international maritime navigation". (Reporting by AFP)