Kuwaiti Oil Tanker Catch Fire Near Dubai After Drone Attack
An oil tanker from Kuwait ignited flames off Dubai’s coast on Tuesday following an assault involving an Iranian drone, various reports indicate.
The Al Salmi tanker, which was fully loaded, experienced hull damage. Firefighters were on-site to quench the blaze, as reported by the Kuwait News Agency.
All 24 crew members were successfully rescued, and thankfully, there was no oil spill, according to announcements from the Dubai authorities.
Investigations are ongoing to assess the full extent of the damage inflicted on the vessel, which has been operational since 2011.
This incident unfolds amidst fluctuating oil prices, notably as the Strait of Hormuz faces closure.
On Monday, Brent crude prices jumped to $116 per barrel, after remarks from President Trump emphasized U.S. interest in acquiring Iranian oil, echoing past actions where U.S. controlled Venezuelan oil exports following political changes there.
“Honestly, it’s about securing oil from Iran,” he mentioned. “Some absurd voices in the U.S. ask why pursue this, but I think they just don’t get it,” he shared with a publication on Sunday.
There are reports suggesting President Trump is weighing the possibility of a ground invasion of Kharg Island, a major hub for Iran’s oil exports, responsible for processing around 90 percent of them.
“Well, perhaps we might capture Kharg Island… but maybe not. We definitely have a range of options,” he commented. “However, capturing it could mean a longer presence there.”
Concerns have been raised by U.S. allies, cautioning that such a move could endanger U.S. forces, as Iran might respond with retaliatory strikes.
In a separate note, President Trump pointed out that a potential deal with Tehran is “probably” imminent but stated that the U.S. military would take definitive actions against Iran’s infrastructure if the negotiations did not yield success.
“This would be a response for the countless lives lost owing to Iran’s actions over decades,” he expressed on social media.
Currently, Trump has paused any strikes on Iranian energy facilities until April 6th.
