A tanker caught fire off coast of Oman on Monday night after being struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz,according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident coincided with reports from unnamed U.S. officials indicating that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had fired missiles at commercial vessels in the area, resulting in significant damage to at least two ships but no casualties.
The attacks unfold amid ongoing peace negotiations between United States and Iran,aimed at resolving conflict that escalated on February 28. A critical point of contention in these talks is status of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas supplies, which Iran had effectively closed to shipping following the onset of hostilities.
On Tuesday,the UKMTO reported that a tanker was struck while moving southbound approximately 8 nautical miles (15 km) off Limah, Oman . Iranian media suggested the LNG tanker had ignored warnings before the attack,although Tehran has not officially claimed responsibility. Sources identified the vessel as the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat, which was carrying liquefied natural gas. The crew reportedly sent out distress signals after the incident,and while they are safe,the ship is at risk of explosion due to a fire in its engine room.
Another vessel,believed to be a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker, also sustained damage from the missile strikes . Analysts suggest the Qatari tanker may have been targeted for straying into an area where Iranian teams were conducting mine-clearing operations. Hossein Royvaran, a Tehran-based analyst,noted that the waters near Oman are likely filled with mines, increasing the risk for vessels navigating the area.
Despite the recent violence,marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has shown resilience. Data from tracking company Kpler indicated that over the weekend,there were 108 verified crossings,with 43 on July 3, 34 on July 4, and 31 on July 5. Prior to the outbreak of the war,the strait typically saw 120-140 vessels daily,with oil tankers transporting around 20 million barrels per day. However, during the height of conflict,traffic dwindled to as few as two tankers a day .
Since early March,Iran has imposed restrictions on shipping through the strait,allowing only select vessels to pass, often requiring negotiations with the IRGC. Reports indicated that some ships paid as much as $2 million for passage. The U.S . has responded with its own naval blockade of Iranian ports, including those in the strait, since June.
Following preliminary memorandum of understanding (MoU) announced on June 14,which aimed to ensure free passage through strait for at least 60 days,only seven ships crossed in the subsequent four days . The vague wording of the MoU regarding the strait and other issues,such as Israel's military actions in Lebanon,has left shipping operators hesitant.
Experts believe that while the MoU has temporarily eased tensions,the ambiguity surrounding the strait's provisions remains contentious issue. The war has paused under the terms of the MoU,yet recent indirect talks in Qatar yielded little progress toward a comprehensive peace agreement. A key concern is whether Iran will impose fees on ships using the strait, a move U.S. opposes vehemently .
Mohsen Milani,a political science professor at the University of South Florida,remarked that Iran's proposal to charge fees reflects its desire to solidify control over the strait. He argued that Iran is leveraging its geographical position to enhance its bargaining power,while the U.S. aims to prevent any arrangement that could expand Iranian influence over shipping routes.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action if a deal is not reached,stating, "We can knock down their bridges in one hour,we can knock out their energy supply." In response,Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned these threats as violations of the MoU,asserting that the recent funeral processions for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei demonstrated national unity against external pressure.
Araghchi emphasized that negotiations for a final deal would not proceed under shadow of threats,urging the U.S. to honor its commitments.
