Iran ceasefire tested as cargo ship catches fire after being hit off Qatar's coast

"A cargo ship caught fire Sunday after being hit by an unknown projectile off Qatar's coast, the British military said, in the latest attack on vessels in the Persian Gulf since a shaky ceasefire stopped fighting between the U.S. and Iran. The Trump administration says the month-old ceasefire remains in effect. But it has been repeatedly tested with Iran restricting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway key to the global flow of oil, and the U.S. imposing a blockade of Iranian ports."

"Washington has been awaiting Iran's response to a new proposal for a deal to end the war, reopen the strait to shipping and roll back Iran's nuclear program. One of the main sticking points in the negotiations is the fate of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The U.N. nuclear agency says Iran has more than 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium that is enriched up to 60% purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels."

"In an interview with Iranian state media, a spokesman for the Iranian military said that forces were on "full readiness" to protect nuclear sites where the uranium is stored. "We considered it possible that they might intend to steal it through infiltration operations or heliborne operations," Brig. Gen. Akrami Nia told the IRNA news agency late Saturday. He didn't offer further details."

"The Isfahan facility was bombarded by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes in the 12-day war last year, and faced less intense attacks in this year's war. In Sunday's naval attack, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said that the strike caused a small fire on the ship, which was extinguished. The attack happened 23 nautical miles (43 kilometers) northeast of Qatar's capital, Doha, the UKMTO said. There were no reported casualties, i"

A cargo ship caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile off Qatar’s coast, according to British military reporting. The incident occurred 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha and caused a small fire that was extinguished, with no reported casualties. The attack adds to a pattern of vessel incidents in the Persian Gulf since a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran paused fighting. Iran has restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports. Negotiations seek to end the war, reopen the strait, and roll back Iran’s nuclear program, with the fate of Iran’s highly enriched uranium a major sticking point. The UN nuclear agency reports Iran has more than 440 kilograms enriched up to 60% purity, and Iranian military officials say forces are on full readiness to protect nuclear sites.

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