DUBAI — A cargo vessel caught fire Sunday after being struck by an unknown projectile off Qatar’s coast, the U.K. maritime authority said, marking another incident that has strained a fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.
The blaze was described as small and was extinguished, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported. The strike occurred about 23 nautical miles (43 kilometers) northeast of Doha. No casualties were reported, and officials did not identify the ship’s owner or flag. No group immediately claimed responsibility.
U.S. and allied officials say the month-old ceasefire remains in effect, but the agreement has been repeatedly tested. Iran has restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, while the U.S. has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports.
Washington has presented a new proposal intended to end the war, reopen the strait to commercial shipping and roll back elements of Iran’s nuclear program, and has been waiting for Tehran’s response. A major obstacle in talks is Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The U.N. nuclear agency has reported that Iran holds more than 440 kilograms (about 970 pounds) of uranium enriched up to roughly 60% purity — a technical step away from weapons-grade material.
An Iranian military spokesman told state media that forces were on “full readiness” to protect nuclear sites where the uranium is kept. Brig. Gen. Akrami Nia said authorities feared attempts to seize the material via infiltration or heliborne operations, without providing further detail.
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s head has said most of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is still likely housed at the Isfahan nuclear complex. Isfahan was hit by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes during last year’s 12-day conflict and sustained lighter attacks during this year’s fighting.
The Qatar-area strike is one of several maritime attacks reported in the Persian Gulf in recent days. On Friday, the U.S. struck two Iranian oil tankers it said were attempting to violate the blockade. In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy warned that any attack on Iranian tankers or commercial vessels would prompt a “heavy assault” on a U.S. base in the region and on enemy ships.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that the U.S. could resume broader bombing if Iran does not accept an agreement to reopen the strait and curb its nuclear activities. Since joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 that escalated the conflict, Iran has largely restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to a global surge in fuel prices and unsettling international markets.