Kuwaiti oil tanker damaged in attack off Dubai

A Kuwait-flagged crude oil tanker, the Al-Salmi, was damaged and caught fire following an attack off the coast of Dubai on Monday. Authorities confirmed that maritime firefighting teams successfully brought the blaze under control, and no injuries were reported among the 24 crew members. The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation stated that the vessel sustained hull damage, raising concerns about potential oil spills. This incident follows a series of drone and missile strikes on merchant vessels in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the start of the conflict between the U.S.-Israel coalition and Iran on February 28. In response, President Donald Trump issued a threat to target Iran's energy infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened for global commerce. Crude oil prices briefly surged on international markets following the attack, with Brent crude rising over 2%. However, prices later retreated after reports suggested the U.S. might be willing to prioritize ending the military campaign over immediate reopening of the waterway. Diplomatic discussions between the U.S. and Iran remain ongoing despite the rising regional tensions.