- The IRGC fired at least two missiles at commercial ships.
- An oil tanker hit by an unidentified projectile east of Limah in Oman: UKMTO.
- Trump said the United States would make a deal with Iran or “finish the job.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, Axios » reported, citing two US officials.
Two commercial ships suffered significant damage but caused no casualties, the report cited a U.S. official as saying.
Separately, Britain’s Maritime Safety Agency said an oil tanker caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile east of Limah, Oman, early Tuesday.
Britain’s Maritime Trade Operations Agency (UKMTO) said on Tuesday the tanker was struck on the port side while heading south about 8 nautical miles (15 km) east of Limah, causing a fire. No casualties or environmental impacts were reported.
Reuters could not immediately verify Axios or determine whether the vessels described in this report included the tanker cited in the UKMTO notice.
U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The reports highlighted risks to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which about a fifth of the world’s oil consumption passes.
Commercial ships have been attacked during the war that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, despite an interim agreement that included provisions on safe passage.
Indirect talks between the United States and Iran ended last week without any public signs of progress toward a lasting peace, despite a 60-day ceasefire intended to create diplomatic space following U.S. and Israeli strikes that sparked the conflict.
President Donald Trump said Monday the United States would either reach a deal with Iran or “finish the job,” renewing his threat of military action as Tehran plans to defy him after the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Ready to shoot you”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned ships by maritime radio this weekend that “our missiles and drones are ready to shoot at you,” he said. The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing a recording obtained.
One of the vessels attacked appears to be Al Rekayyat, a liquefied natural gas tanker owned and managed by Nakilat, also known as Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd, which operates one of the world’s largest LNG shipping fleets, the WSJ » said, adding that the ship was hit on the port side, at the top of the engine room.
“Fire in engine room and lots of smoke. Unable to assess further damage. All crew safe and gathered on starboard side,” the WSJ quoted the WSJ from a recording.
The ship was at the mouth of the strait, in the Gulf of Oman, when it was attacked, the WSJ reported.
Nakilat, QatarEnergy and the Qatar International Media Bureau did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside normal business hours.
Investors are closely watching negotiations between the United States and Iran over the fate of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while tracking the recovery of Gulf oil exports.
