The United States has conducted its third consecutive night of strikes on Iran, shortly after former President Donald Trump declared that Washington would reinstate a maritime blockade on Iran and charge ships for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The United Arab Emirates reported that two of its national tankers were targeted by Iranian cruise missiles in the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters. The attacks resulted in the death of one Indian crew member and injuries to eight others, four of them seriously wounded.

Iran and the US are reportedly nearly halfway through a 60-day interim deal intended to pave the way for talks to permanently end the war, which began in February following the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. However, the agreement has largely collapsed amid ongoing attacks over the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns among world leaders about the potential resumption of full-scale conflict.

Previously, the US had maintained that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open to all vessels without tolls, consistent with global norms on freedom of navigation. This stance was held until Washington and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February. On Monday, Trump announced a shift in this position, stating that the US would demand a 20% tariff on all cargoes shipped through the strait.

Any attempts by the US or Iran, which has also proposed tolls, to charge fees for passage through the strait could violate international norms and risk causing broader economic disruption beyond the region.

In related news, Minnesota prosecutors have recently received previously withheld evidence concerning the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti during protests earlier this year against a federal immigration crackdown.

Sources