Three oil tankers were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, escalating tensions in one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes and raising fresh concerns over the durability of the June 17 ceasefire memorandum between the United States and Iran.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), an “unknown projectile” hit a tanker overnight, triggering a fire. Two more tankers were later attacked, with at least one vessel reportedly struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
In its latest update, UKMTO said, “UKMTO has received a report of a further incident involving a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker was struck by an unknown Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and has sustained minor structural damage. No casualties or environmental impact reported.”
The three vessels were attacked near the coast of Oman, renewing concerns over the security of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran lifted its blockade of the strategic waterway following a fragile ceasefire with the United States.
Oman had earlier proposed establishing a temporary transit corridor along its coastline to facilitate safe passage for ships. The proposal was opposed by Iran, which has sought to levy charges on vessels using the narrow shipping route.
Qatar Holds Iran Responsible
One of the vessels involved, the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat, was sailing in waters off the Omani coast, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency.
Qatar, which played a role in mediating the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, blamed Iran for the attack and called on Tehran to refrain from actions that threaten international maritime security.
“The targeting of the Qatari vessel ‘Al-Rekayyat’ while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an unacceptable attack on the security and safety of international maritime navigation,” Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said in a post on X.
“We hold Iran fully legally responsible for this attack and for any resulting damages or repercussions,” he added.
US-Iran Talks Remain on Hold
Diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran are reportedly expected to remain suspended until after the burial of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the start of the US-Israeli military strikes on February 28.
Trump Reiterates Military Option
Amid the renewed tensions, US President Donald Trump said military action against Iran remained an option if diplomatic efforts failed.
“We’re either going to make a deal or we’re going to finish the job…. We can knock down their bridges in one hour; we can knock out their energy supply,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejected the remarks, saying negotiations could not proceed under military pressure.
“Honour your signature,” Araqchi wrote on X, referring to the interim ceasefire memorandum.
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