Iran Fires Missiles at Ships in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired at least two missiles at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, Axios reported, citing two US officials. Two vessels sustained significant damage, but no casualties were reported.

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile east of Oman’s Limah early on Tuesday. The tanker was struck on its port side while traveling southbound about eight nautical miles (15 km) east of Limah, causing a fire in the engine room. No casualties or environmental damage were reported.

Reuters could not immediately verify the Axios report or determine whether the vessels described in that report included the tanker cited by UKMTO.

According to the Wall Street Journal, one of the vessels under attack appeared to be Al Rekayyat, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker owned and managed by Nakilat, also known as Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd.

The attacks occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which about a fifth of global oil consumption passes. Over the weekend, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned ships via maritime radio that “our missiles and drones are ready to fire at you”, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a recording it had obtained.

The incidents come at a time of extreme tension after indirect US-Iran talks ended last week without any public sign of progress toward a lasting peace, despite a 60-day ceasefire intended to create space for diplomacy.

US President Donald Trump also escalated his rhetoric on Monday, saying the US would either reach an agreement with Iran or “finish the job”, renewing his threat of military action as Tehran projected defiance following the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

(Reuters, Max)