The US military launched a series of "powerful" strikes against Iran on Tuesday night in response to what it described as "unwarranted, dangerous" Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command accused Tehran of a "clear violation" of the ceasefire agreement signed last month, stating the strikes were designed to "impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway."
Attacks on Tankers Near Oman
Three tankers, including a Qatari LNG vessel, were struck within hours in the strait, all near Oman. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) reported that the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat was hit near Limah, Oman, as it attempted to travel south out of the strait toward the Gulf of Oman. In a mayday call, the crew transmitted: "We're being hit by a drone top of port side near engine room." This marked the first time a Qatari ship has been struck since the US-Iran war began on 28 February.
Iran's Position and Legal Claims
Iran blamed the US for the incident, arguing that Washington's efforts to open new routes through the strait breached the memorandum of understanding between the two parties. Tehran claimed the memorandum leaves it, in consultation with Oman, to manage the reopening of the strait with the aim of returning commercial traffic to prewar levels within 30 days. At a briefing in Tehran, a foreign ministry spokesperson insisted Iran had the right to impose fees on all ships using the strait, stating: "Securing the strait for navigation for safe passage is itself a service." The spokesperson rejected a proposal from Oman to create a new authority for the strait modelled on the Malacca and Singapore strait, where fees are charged only for specific navigational services excluding security.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia Condemn Attacks
Qatar condemned the attack on its tanker, with foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari calling it a "serious and explicit violation" of international law and stating Qatar would hold Iran fully responsible. Saudi Arabia also condemned the targeting of the Saudi-flagged tanker Wedyan and the Qatari tanker, saying the attacks threatened international navigation and global energy supplies. The Saudi foreign ministry demanded Iran "immediately stop all actions that threaten the security of the region and the safety of international navigation and energy supplies," holding Iran "fully responsible for these attacks, their damage and all their repercussions."
Rejection of International Proposals
Iran firmly rejected proposals from France and the UK to de-mine and secure the southern route through the strait close to the Omani shore. The foreign ministry spokesperson said: "When France and others said they were ready to help, we said 'no thank you' – this is for Iran to do it and we know how to do it."
Oman's Shipping Corridor Proposal
Oman had suggested a new shipping corridor close to its coastline, a proposal Iran opposes as it wants to charge ships for using the waterway. Iran argued that the strait became contested only because of American aggression and that providing security is costly, so it will now ask for necessary costs when providing related services, including securing safe passage.
Qatar summoned Iran's deputy ambassador to register its protest amid reports the ship's crew had abandoned the vessel. Reports that at least three other ships had been attacked in the past 24 hours have not been confirmed.
