Tanker strike in Dubai highlights rising risks to Gulf shipping

A suspected Iranian attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai is the latest sign of how quickly the conflict in the region is spilling into global energy routes.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said the tanker Al Salmi was struck while anchored at Dubai Port, triggering a fire and causing damage to the vessel. The tanker was carrying about two million barrels of oil from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, bound for China.

Authorities in Dubai confirmed there had been a drone attack overnight but said the situation was contained, with no injuries and no oil leakage reported.

The initial concern was environmental as much as operational. KPC warned of a potential spill, though local officials later said none had occurred.

On the ground, the incident added to a sense of escalation. Multiple explosions were reported across Dubai from Monday evening into early Tuesday morning.

An assessment of the damage is now under way, as authorities and operators try to determine the full impact on the vessel.

The strike fits into a broader pattern. Since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran in late February, attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz have become more frequent, often involving drones or missiles.

Other recent incidents underline the trend. A Greek-owned container ship off Saudi Arabia reported projectiles landing nearby, while a Thai cargo vessel struck earlier this month near Oman remains disabled, with three crew members still missing.