US and Iran exchange strikes as Tehran again says strait of Hormuz is closed

Qatar has warned Iran it will bear full legal responsibility after three tankers, including a Qatari LNG vessel, were struck within hours in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman. Qatar's foreign ministry called the incident a "serious and explicit violation" of international law. Iran blamed the US for the incident, claiming Washington's efforts to open new routes through the strait breached a memorandum of understanding. Iranian officials stated Iran has a right to impose fees on ships using the waterway, citing the cost of providing security. The Qatari tanker, Al Rekayyat, reported being hit by a drone. Iran rejected proposals from the UK and France to help secure the southern route through the strait.

Since a US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) on June 17 aimed to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway's future is uncertain. Despite over 500 ships passing, many remain stuck. In recent days, three ships were attacked, with Iran accusing them of attempting passage without approval. The US responded with escalating strikes on Iranian soil, including Tehran, while Iran fired missiles and drones at Gulf nations. US President Trump stated the truce is "over," raising fears of renewed war, and Iran has threatened to close the strait again. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil and gas, with approximately 20 million barrels passing daily before the war. At least five commercial vessels have been attacked in or near the strait since the ceasefire.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased following recent attacks on vessels. On Wednesday, only 23 tankers and cargo ships transited the waterway, a sharp drop from 47 the previous week. These attacks occurred after a US-Iran deal aimed at reopening the strait, which had seen increased traffic following its signing. The incidents involved ships using a US-recommended route through Omani waters, prompting Iran to reiterate its claim that its own routes are the only safe option. The US responded with strikes on Iranian targets, accusing Iran of violating the truce, while Iran accused the US of breaching the agreement. This latest violence has caused a halt in traffic on the Omani route, with no ships using it on Wednesday.

A tanker caught fire after being struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz, with reports from US officials suggesting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired missiles at commercial ships. These attacks occurred during ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and Iran, where the Strait of Hormuz is a contentious issue due to Iran's restrictions on shipping. While marine traffic has shown resilience, vague provisions regarding the strait remain a sticking point in the talks. The incidents also follow funeral processions for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes. The exact cause of the tanker incident is unclear, with one analyst suggesting it may have strayed into an area of Iranian mine-clearing operations.