Trump eyes remaining Iranian targets as Qatari tanker hit in Gulf waters

A merchant vessel was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following an earlier attack on a Qatari gas tanker in Gulf waters. Britain's UKMTO maritime agency reported receiving a mayday call from the merchant vessel relaying the strike. Qatar's state news agency confirmed that the liquefied natural gas carrier Al Mayeda, belonging to the Qatar Gas Transport Company, was hit by unidentified objects on Friday evening during transit. No crew members were injured, and the vessel remained in a safe and operational condition with no environmental impact. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that the United States has knocked out much of Iran's military and nuclear program but still needs to address remaining targets. Speaking at his Florida residence, Trump specifically mentioned a suspected underground nuclear complex known as Pickaxe Mountain, claiming the U.S. could take care of remaining sites very quickly. The Iranian government has denied that any nuclear work is carried out at that location. Trump added that negotiations to end the war, which began in February, are going fine even though the other side is not very reliable. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted on Saturday that Trump has not yet decided on fresh strikes and that the U.S. remains open to a diplomatic solution. Iranian negotiators were in Doha over the weekend for talks with Qatari mediators to find a deal to end the conflict and avert renewed strikes following the U.S. midterm elections. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that discussions are ongoing and that a new proposal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the U.S. meets certain conditions. Meanwhile, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia warned on Sunday that any future war could last longer than the previous conflict and that the U.S. president would not dictate its duration.

Context

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global shipping lane connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, making maritime security there critical for international energy supplies. Qatar has actively engaged in diplomatic mediation between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions and reopen crucial regional trade routes.