Explosion reported near Strait of Hormuz after IRGC missile strike claim
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it fired at least 5 cruise missiles at ships in the strait, a day after only four vessels crossed it, according to former national security adviser Sullivan.
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Map: The Gulf and Hormuz, marking Strait of Hormuz
An explosion is reported near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's IRGC Navy says it fired at least 5 cruise missiles at ships in the strait on Friday.
UKMTO says a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile in the strait. Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it struck a Togo-flagged tanker, Trend. On Thursday, the IRGC Navy said the Trend was hit and stopped after a fire, and warned that unauthorized ships would be destroyed.
UKMTO also reported a separate security incident on Thursday, 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, and said threat levels in the strait remained severe. Talks with Iran were on hold as of Thursday, with Tehran claiming what it called intelligent control of the waterway. On the same day, only four ships crossed Hormuz despite Trump administration spending meant to keep the passage open, according to Sullivan.
The explosion adds to a run of Iranian military action in the strait that has continued despite administration assurances that the corridor is stabilizing. With the Saudi bypass pipeline still offline and shipping volumes running below pre-crisis levels, the pattern points to a threat environment that remains acute rather than easing, keeping upward pressure on crude prices.