Oil tanker explodes in Strait of Hormuz; Qatar warns of deepening energy crisis

Iran's Revolutionary Guards say an oil tanker struck a sea mine in the Strait of Hormuz, causing an explosion and fire. According to the Guards, the tanker had used a restricted route without Iran's permission.

Iran has tightened control over ship movement through the strait following its war with the United States and Israel, while the US has imposed a naval blockade to stop Iranian oil exports. The strait is a key global shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas.

Meanwhile, Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warned that the global energy crisis could deepen further. Speaking at the Doha Global Security Forum on Monday, he said the energy crisis has not yet reached its peak.

Instability along the Hormuz route has increased since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. In March, an Iranian attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial area damaged gas production infrastructure, which is expected to take years to repair.

Al Thani maintained that transit fees should not be imposed on ships passing through Hormuz. He also expressed hope that mediation by Qatar, Pakistan and Oman could help reach an agreement among the United States, Iran and Israel.