Kuwaiti oil tanker attacked near Dubai

On March 31, 2026, the Kuwaiti crude oil tanker Al-Salmi was struck while anchored at the port of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) reported that the vessel, which was fully laden with approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil, sustained hull damage and a fire as a result of the incident. Authorities in Dubai later confirmed that the fire had been brought under control and that there were no casualties or oil spills reported. While the Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA and other regional reports attributed the attack to Iranian forces, official statements highlighted ongoing concerns regarding maritime security and potential environmental risks. The incident caused a temporary spike in global crude oil prices. This event follows a period of heightened regional tensions, including previous incidents involving commercial vessels in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz since late February 2026. Investigations into the extent of the damage are currently underway.