Business & Economics
Iranian Drone Hits Fully-Loaded Kuwaiti Tanker ‘Al Salmi’ off Dubai amid Hormuz Blockade
In the early hours of 31 Mar 2026 an Iranian drone struck the Kuwait-flagged VLCC Al Salmi at Dubai’s Anchorage-E, igniting but quickly containing a fire while Washington simultaneously threatened to destroy Iran’s oil infrastructure unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
Focusing Facts
- The tanker was carrying roughly 2 million barrels of Kuwaiti-Saudi crude worth >$200 million when hit at 00:10 local time; all 24 crew unharmed and the blaze was declared out by Dubai authorities within hours.
- Brent crude briefly jumped to about $113 / bbl (≈4 % intraday) after the attack, the highest level since the war began on 28 Feb 2026.
- UKMTO lists this as the 28th maritime security incident—16 classified as attacks—since the Hormuz closure five weeks earlier.
You've read the facts. The perspectives are behind this line.
Perspectives in this article
- Right-leaning tabloids
- Mainstream US cable news
- Energy-market and business-focused outlets