Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai
Dubai, Jul 7: Iran fired at least two missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, damaging both ships but causing no casualties, according to an Axios report citing a US official.
The attacks have raised fresh concerns over the fragile ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran in late June, as both countries continue negotiations aimed at securing a long-term peace agreement.
According to the report, both commercial vessels sustained significant damage. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre also confirmed receiving a report of a tanker being struck by an unidentified projectile about eight nautical miles (15 km) east of Limah, Oman.
Following the incident, Brent crude oil prices rose by around 0.4 per cent to about USD 72.25 per barrel, reflecting renewed concerns over the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy transit routes.
The attacks came as US President Donald Trump prepared to attend a NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey, where the conflict with Iran is expected to be a key issue. Trump has previously criticised several NATO members for not doing enough to support the United States during the confrontation with Iran.
Negotiations between Washington and Tehran were temporarily suspended after Iran began week-long funeral ceremonies for its slain Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated on the opening day of the conflict in late February.
Qatar has said the next round of indirect talks will be scheduled as soon as the funeral ceremonies conclude. Khamenei is scheduled to be buried in his hometown of Mashhad on Jul. 9.
The interim peace agreement reached last month established a 60-day window for negotiations between the two countries. However, several contentious issues remain unresolved, including the unfreezing of Iranian assets, transit fees through the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme.
Trump said last week that indirect negotiations in Doha had made progress, although he did not disclose specific details. US representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff reportedly met Qatari officials to review the ongoing diplomatic process, while technical-level discussions continued in parallel.
The conflict had earlier disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a sharp spike in global oil and gas prices. Although the interim peace agreement has eased market concerns and brought prices down, uncertainty remains over how quickly energy exports through the strategic waterway can return to normal levels.