Iranian missiles reportedly hit commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON/MUSCAT: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired at least two missiles at commercial vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, Axios reported, citing two US officials.

Two commercial ships sustained major damage but there were no casualties. Reuters said it could not immediately verify the Axios account or determine whether the vessels mentioned in that report included a tanker referenced separately by Britain’s maritime security agency.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said early on Tuesday that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile while sailing southbound around 8 nautical miles, or 15 kilometres, east of Limah in Oman. The agency said the vessel was hit on its port side and a fire broke out, but no casualties or environmental damage had been reported.

Reuters reported that US Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Shipping risks and warnings

The reported attacks highlighted continuing dangers for maritime traffic around the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passage between Iran and Oman through which about one-fifth of global oil consumption passes.

Commercial shipping has come under attack during the war that followed US-Israeli strikes on Iran, despite an interim arrangement that included provisions for safe passage. Indirect talks between Washington and Tehran ended last week without any public indication of progress towards a permanent settlement, even though a 60-day ceasefire had been intended to create room for diplomacy after the conflict began.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump said the United States would either secure an agreement with Iran or "finish the job." renewing a threat of military action.

Wall Street Journal account

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had warned ships over maritime radio during the weekend that "our missiles and drones are ready to fire at you." citing a recording it said it had obtained.

The newspaper said one of the vessels apparently targeted was Al Rekayyat, a liquefied natural gas tanker owned and managed by Nakilat, also known as Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd, which operates one of the world’s largest LNG shipping fleets. The vessel was hit on the port side near the top of the engine room while at the mouth of the strait in the Gulf of Oman.

The Wall Street Journal also quoted a recording describing the condition aboard the vessel: "Engine room fire and full of smoke. Unable to assess further damage. All crew are safe and mustered on the starboard side."

Nakilat, QatarEnergy and Qatar’s International Media Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside normal business hours, Reuters reported. The developments come as investors continue to watch US-Iran contacts over the future of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the recovery in Gulf oil exports.