Two incidents, one message
On Saturday, two incidents involving tankers occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international shipping route. The first took place northeast of Lima, Oman, when a projectile hit a vessel, causing damage to its engine room. No injuries were reported. Just three hours later, another incident occurred northeast of Khasab, where the captain of a second tanker reported a large splash and explosion near the ship, though no damage to the vessel was noted. The UK Maritime and Commercial Agency, UKMTO, issued a warning, urging ships to be cautious and to report any suspicious activity. Despite these attacks, the U.S. military maintains that the Strait remains open to commercial traffic.
Tension and denial in the Persian Gulf
After U.S. and Israeli strikes in late February, Iran effectively limited access to the waterway, making it a central issue in the ongoing conflict. A June agreement between the two sides did little to ease the situation. The U.S. military dismissed claims by Iran that the Strait is closed, pointing out that thousands of commercial vessels have passed through the region over the past four months. This denial comes despite the high-stakes nature of the strait, which handles a quarter of the world's seaborne oil trade.
In the wake of ongoing disputes, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a renewed wave of strikes on Iran, targeting military infrastructure. The attacks focused on Revolutionary Guard command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance systems. These actions followed a 13-day consecutive military campaign in early July, which aimed to weaken Iran’s ability to interfere with shipping through the Strait. The U.S. has repeatedly stressed the strategic importance of maintaining open access to the waterway for commercial vessels.
Trump’s rhetoric and retaliatory strikes
U.S. President Donald Trump recently voiced growing skepticism about the potential for peace with Iran, stating he was “losing faith” in the prospects for a deal. He also warned of a possible “very hard” response to continued Iranian aggression. These comments followed the resumption of U.S. strikes on Revolutionary Guard facilities. In reaction, Iran launched attacks on American military bases across the Middle East, hitting sites in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, the UAE, and Qatar. The pattern of mutual retaliation continues to fuel regional instability, with commercial shipping operations caught in the middle of an increasingly volatile conflict.