Ships attacked in the Strait of Hormuz: What that means for ongoing talks
While marine traffic in Hormuz has steadily risen, vague provisions on the strait remain contentious in peace talks. A tanker caught fire off the coast
While marine traffic in Hormuz has steadily risen, vague provisions on the strait remain contentious in peace talks. A tanker caught fire off the 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). Separately citing two unnamed US officials, news outlet Axios reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting through the strait on Monday night. The report added that two ships suffered significant damage but there were no casualties. It is unclear if one of the ships is the same one reported on by UKMTO. The reports of attacks on shipping in the strait come as sensitive peace negotiations continue between the United States and Iran to bring a lasting end to their war, which began on February 28. One of the key sticking points in the talks is the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively closed to shipping after US-Israeli strikes began. The attacks also come amid days of funeral processions for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28, the first day of the war. Here is a closer look at what has happened in the Strait of Hormuz, and whether this could threaten the peace process. What has happened in the Strait of Hormuz? The UKMTO reported early on Tuesday that a tanker had been struck by a “projectile” on its port side while moving southbound about 8 nautical miles (15km) off the coast of Limah in Oman, causing a fire. Iranian television reported claims that the LNG tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings, but Tehran did not directly claim the assault.
Neither the US Central Command (CENTCOM) nor the IRGC commented on the incident. However, three unidentified sources told the Reuters news agency the ship was a Qatari tanker called Al Rekayyat, carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG), and that the crew were safe. The ship sent out distress signals when it was hit. However, it may be at risk of exploding due to a fire in its engine room, another source briefed on the incident told Reuters. A second ship is believed to be a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker which was also damaged in the Strait of Hormuz when the IRGC fired missiles, sources told Reuters. Hossein Royvaran, a Tehran-based analyst, told Al Jazeera that the Qatari tanker might have been targeted because it strayed into an area where Iranian teams were performing mine-clearing operations. “The area near Oman is likely full of mines,” said Royvaran. “There is a possibility that these ships headed in directions where Iranian teams in that area are clearing mines, and the ships’ movement might have threatened those teams.” In April, the IRGC released a map showing a safe route through the strait for shipping traffic it had approved. Although it has not confirmed the presence of mines in the strait, it noted that its approved route – which diverts ships much closer to its own coastline – would avoid any mines. What is the current status of the strait? Data tracking company Kpler said in an X post on Monday that traffic in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend showed “resilience” with a total of 108 verified crossings. There were 43 crossings on July 3, 34 on July 4 and 31 on July 5, it said. Before the war, an estimated 120-140 vessels crossed through the strait each day, roughly half of them oil tankers moving approximately 20 million barrels per day.
The BriefWire