Iran Fires Missiles at Ships in Strait of Hormuz, Threatening Fragile US Truce

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired at least two missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz late Monday. The strikes came just weeks after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding to end their war, and officials say the US is likely to respond with retaliatory strikes on Iranian targets.

Tankers Damaged, No Casualties Reported

The UK Maritime Trade Operations center confirmed a tanker traveling south near the Omani coast was hit by an unknown projectile, sparking a fire onboard. A second commercial vessel was also struck by an Iranian missile, according to a US official. Both ships suffered significant damage, but no injuries were reported.

Talks Collapse Before Attacks Resumed

The missile strikes followed a week of indirect talks between the US and Iran in Doha that ended without resolving disputes over the strait, which carries about one-fifth of global oil supply. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had warned that any Iranian plan to charge transit tolls in the waterway would make a diplomatic deal unworkable, a stance that clashes with Tehran’s plan to impose fees once a 60-day toll-free window under the agreement ends.

A Recurring Pattern

The breakdown echoes earlier cycles in the conflict, where Iranian strikes on shipping were followed by US and CENTCOM retaliation against Iranian military sites, including radar stations and air defense positions.