Iran attacked commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and Tuesday, escalating tensions shortly after President Donald Trump stated the U.S. had given Tehran "a week off" during funeral ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

A U.S. official confirmed that three commercial vessels were struck by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz during this period. British maritime authorities reported a vessel was hit by a projectile near the coast of Oman on Monday, with Iranian state media claiming the ship had ignored warnings from Iranian forces. Additionally, Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported another tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unidentified projectile. UKMTO noted the vessel sustained structural damage but there were no casualties or environmental impact.

Iranian state television said the tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim responsibility for the assault.

Ship-tracking firm Kpler reported that daily vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has stabilized at roughly 30 to 60 crossings, a decrease from about 140 per day before the U.S. launched its offensive against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury.

These attacks targeted commercial shipping in one of the world's busiest maritime choke points, underscoring ongoing regional instability following months of military pressure.

Sources