Iran launched new drone attacks at the Gulf on Sunday, despite hinting at progress in peace talks by announcing it had responded to US proposals.
A fire broke out on a cargo ship heading from the UAE to Qatar after it was struck by a drone on Sunday morning. The UAE said its air defences intercepted two drones from Iran, while Kuwait destroyed several more.
No casualties were reported, but the strikes were the latest to pierce the US-Iran ceasefire after a month of relative calm in the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz has become the main battleground as Iran warned sailors to expect "hardship" if they comply with US sanctions.
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman on Sunday urged Iran not to use the strait as a "pressure card", saying it would deepen the crisis have "negative repercussions" for food and energy supplies.
The attacks came despite Iran saying it was seeking to end the war. State media said Tehran's response to the latest US peace proposals had been sent to Pakistan, which is acting as a go-between.
It said the proposals call for "negotiations [to] focus on ending the war in the region", as Iran seeks a comprehensive end to the regional conflict that continues to rage fiercely in Lebanon. The US had previously suggested a two-month extension of a ceasefire.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had earlier issued “new directives” to Iran's armed forces. The briefing to Mr Khamenei included updates on readiness across Iran’s armed forces, with commanders warning of a “swift and powerful” response to any US or Israeli aggression.
The warnings came as a projectile struck a cargo ship near Qatar, the US imposed more sanctions on Iran-linked procurement networks and Israeli strikes killed at least 39 people in Lebanon.
Qatar's Defence Ministry said a commercial cargo ship was struck by a drone in Qatari territorial waters north-east of Mesaieed Port on Sunday morning,
The vessel, which was arriving from Abu Dhabi, sustained a limited fire but no injuries were reported, the ministry added.
The cargo ship struck by a projectile on Sunday was about 40 kilometres north-east of Qatar when it was hit, said the UK Maritime Trade Operations, a British Royal Navy-run coordination centre.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments, with any disruption closely watched for its impact on energy prices and shipping insurance costs.
Iran has long argued it is acting under international maritime law while asserting security authority in waters near its coastline, while the US, EU, and Gulf states reject that interpretation and insist on freedom of navigation.
The war began on February 28 with coordinated US–Israeli strikes on Iran and has since spread across the region, killing thousands and sending shock waves through global energy markets.
Iran’s army spokesman Brig Gen Mohammad Akraminia said countries complying with US sanctions would “undoubtedly face difficulties” when passing through the strait, according to Tasnim News Agency.
Wider spillover continues across the region, including drone incidents in Kuwait airspace and ongoing US sanctions targeting networks accused of supporting Iran’s military procurement systems.
Diplomatic efforts are also ongoing, with regional mediators continuing contacts aimed at preventing further escalation alongside parallel talks involving US and Gulf officials.
In Lebanon, Israeli air strikes killed at least 39 people, said Lebanese authorities, despite a ceasefire agreement reached last month.
A Gaza Health Ministry report said Israeli attacks killed one Palestinian and wounded four in the past 24 hours.
It added that 851 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire in October 2025, with the death toll exceeding 72,700 since the Gaza war began with the deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
