Three tankers were struck by projectiles Tuesday in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the British military, raising new fears over one of the world’s most important shipping routes. The attacks came as the U.S. and Iran remained locked in a fragile standoff over the future of the waterway, global energy flows, and efforts to end the wider conflict.
A Critical Waterway Comes Under Fire Again
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important routes for global energy trade. In peacetime, about one-fifth of all traded oil and natural gas passed through the channel, making any disruption there a concern for markets, governments, and shipping companies.
The latest attacks targeted three tankers moving through or near the strait. One tanker was traveling off the coast of Oman when it caught fire, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. Iranian state television said the liquefied natural gas tanker had ignored warnings before it came under attack, but Iran did not officially claim responsibility.
Tankers Damaged as Shipping Tensions Grow
Two other tankers were also hit, including one struck by a drone. The maritime agency said both ships sustained some damage, but no injuries were reported. At least one of the vessels was able to continue its journey after the attack.
The first tanker was hit near Limah, Oman, as it tried to travel south out of the strait toward the Gulf of Oman. The UKMTO said the projectile struck the port side of the vessel, and authorities were investigating. The agency also said there were no environmental effects from the strike.
Qatar Condemns Attack on Al Rekayyat
The attack drew a sharp response from Qatar after reports that the targeted tanker, Al Rekayyat, was carrying natural gas from Qatar. Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, called the strike an “unacceptable attack” on international navigation and global energy security. He also described it as a “serious and explicit violation” of international law.
In a post on X, Al-Ansari said Qatar holds Iran “fully legally responsible” for the attack. His comments added more diplomatic pressure at a time when Gulf states are watching the Strait of Hormuz closely and trying to avoid a wider crisis in the region.
Route Dispute Raises Risk for Ships
Iran has repeatedly said that only its approved route through the strait is safe. Its joint military command warned last Thursday that all oil tankers moving through the strait must use those approved routes. It also warned that interference by U.S. forces in the strait “will be met with a rapid and decisive reaction.”
However, the Joint Maritime Information Center, a multinational body overseen by the U.S. Navy, told shippers Monday that the route around Oman “has been expanded and remains available for all traffic.” Ships moving north on the Iranian route must register with Tehran, while ships going south work with Oman and the U.S.
U.S.-Iran Talks Remain on Hold
The attacks came as U.S.-Iran talks appeared to be paused until after the burial of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the beginning of the war. The U.S. has been seeking negotiations with Iran to fully reopen the strait, address Tehran’s disputed nuclear program, and reach a permanent end to the war that began Feb. 28.
Speaking Monday at the White House, President Donald Trump warned Iran that it would need to “make a deal, or we’re going to finish the job.” He added, “I’d rather make a deal, because I don’t want to affect 91 million people,” before saying, “We can knock down their bridges in one hour. We can knock out their energy supply.”
A Fragile Moment for Global Energy
The latest tanker attacks show how quickly the Strait of Hormuz can become a flashpoint for global energy security. Even without major casualties or environmental damage, strikes on vessels in the area can raise costs, slow shipping, and increase fears of a wider regional conflict.
For now, the situation remains tense. The dispute over shipping routes, Iran’s role in the strait, and the future of U.S.-Iran talks will likely shape what happens next. As countries push to restore normal traffic through the waterway, the latest attacks are a reminder that the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most sensitive pressure points in the global economy.
