US-Iran Ceasefire Falters Amid Rising Drone Attacks in the Gulf Region

Drone Strikes Reported Off Qatar’s Coast Amid Ongoing Tensions

A drone attack occurred off the coast of Qatar on Sunday, striking a cargo ship in Qatari waters. The incident sparked a fire, but the vessel continued its journey to Mesaieed Port after the blaze was brought under control.

Separately, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates reported repelling drone attacks. In Kuwait, a “number of hostile drones” were detected in the country’s airspace at dawn, while in the UAE, two Iranian drones were intercepted by air defense systems.

The US Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that a bulk carrier had been struck by an unknown projectile, resulting in a small fire being extinguished. No casualties or environmental impact were reported.

Iran has denied claims of launching attacks on ships in the Gulf region, despite reports of several incidents over the past week. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy reiterated its warning that any attack on Iranian oil tankers or commercial vessels would be met with a “heavy assault” on US forces and enemy ships.

The fragile ceasefire between Iran and the US is under strain, with tensions escalating in recent days. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to resume military action if Iran does not accept a deal that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and rolling back its nuclear program.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met with US Secretary of State Marc Rubio on Saturday, urging all parties to respond to ongoing mediation efforts. He also held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, discussing the need for lasting peace in the region.

Source: Al Jazeera