Iran Attacks Two More Ships in Strait of Hormuz Amid Trump’s Meeting with Turkey

While U.S. President Donald Trump met in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an ally of Iran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards launched attacks on two additional vessels in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday. This escalation follows a previous attack overnight between Monday and Tuesday, marking a significant increase after a one-week ceasefire agreement with the U.S. expired.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), two tankers were struck by Iranian drones as they attempted to pass through the strait on the Omani side. One vessel was hit by unidentified gunfire, and the other was targeted by a one-way drone strike. No casualties were reported, but both ships sustained damage. Iran appears intent on asserting full control over the Strait of Hormuz, forcing all ships to navigate a cleared, demined passage.

These recent attacks bring the total number of commercial vessels hit in the strait within the past 24 hours to four. The United States has so far refrained from responding militarily to the Iranian strikes. Earlier Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi threatened to end talks with the U.S. following President Trump’s recent threats. Trump had warned the possibility of swiftly destroying Iran’s energy infrastructure, stating, "We can finish the job in one afternoon."

The timing of the attacks coincides with Trump’s visit to Turkey, highlighting the complex regional dynamics as the U.S. engages with Turkey, a supporter of Iran, amid rising tensions in the Gulf region.