Iran Attacks Cargo Ship in Strait of Hormuz—New Regional Escalation

A commercial ship in Iran was attacked by multiple small boats while sailing near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to British military authorities.

The ship, which was not immediately identified, was struck just off the coast of Sirik, Iran, slightly east of the strait, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre.

The entire crew was reported safe, with no group immediately claiming responsibility for the attack.

However, Iranian military authorities have repeatedly warned that any vessel attempting to pass through the strait will be attacked unless it pays “tolls” and proves it is not connected to the U.S. or Israel.

The ship was heading north toward the Persian Gulf—it was not attempting to exit it. At least twenty-four attacks have been recorded in the area of the Strait of Hormuz and its surroundings since the outbreak of the war with Iran, with Sunday’s attack being the first since April 22.

Tehran has effectively closed this critical oil passageway with repeated attacks and threats against commercial vessels and tankers trying to pass through.

Despite the U.S. and Israel having sunk Iran’s navy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards maintain a fleet of small patrol boats along the strait.

President Trump ordered last month to “shoot and kill” any small boats posing a threat to navigation.

The Islamic Republic has warned that the Strait of Hormuz, which once carried 20% of the world’s oil supply, will remain under its control regardless of the outcome of fragile peace talks with the United States.

“[Tehran] will not retreat from our position regarding the Strait of Hormuz, and will not return to pre-war conditions,” said the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament on Sunday.

Trump, who has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports to exert economic pressure on the country, recently warned that the U.S. could resume airstrikes on Iran if a peace agreement is not reached.