Iranian Missiles Strike Two Commercial Ships in Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions

On Tuesday night, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired at least two missiles at commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. reports. The missile strikes caused significant damage to two ships navigating this critical international shipping route, but no crew members were injured, and the vessels continued on their course. A U.S. official confirmed to Axios that the IRGC was responsible for the missile attacks.

Earlier on the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the U.S. Navy had imposed the largest blockade ever seen on Iran. Trump warned that the United States had the capability to disable and destroy all of Iran's energy facilities and demanded that Iran comply with previous concessions, including handing over enriched uranium stockpiles.

In response, Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, cautioned the Trump administration to address the Iranian people respectfully, warning that failure to do so would provoke a different response from Iran.

Amid the military escalation, quiet diplomatic efforts are underway regarding navigation arrangements in the region. Diplomats involved in the discussions revealed that Oman and Iran are promoting a plan to charge shipping companies transit fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. This proposal has been formally presented to the United States and Western countries, but Washington has expressed significant reservations and plans to communicate these concerns to senior Omani officials.