A commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz was struck by a missile Thursday evening, according to a report circulating in Israeli security channels. The extent of damage and potential casualties are not yet known. Separately, Iran's foreign minister reiterated that Tehran intends to collect tolls from all ships crossing the strategic waterway.
A commercial vessel was struck by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz late Thursday, according to a single unverified report circulating in Israeli security channels — the latest in a series of Iranian escalations in the waterway. Iran's foreign minister, in a statement that The Zioneer reported earlier today, reiterated that Tehran intends to collect tolls from all ships crossing the strait, insisting the payment regime is justified under Iran's sovereign claims. The current incident aligns with that stated policy, though the vessel's identity, damage and casualties remain unknown.
The event builds on a sequence The Zioneer has been tracking for two weeks. On June 12 at 23:58 Jerusalem, the IRGC fired a missile at a vessel attempting to cross the strait. By June 13, the UKMTO had confirmed a cargo ship was hit by an unidentified projectile about 14 km southeast of Duqm, Oman, at around 19:10 Jerusalem, damaging the bridge but causing no casualties — a finding corroborated in two subsequent UKMTO reports. Iranian radio warnings to ships demanding authorization were reported by The Zioneer on Thu 19:10; by June 15, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman had said vessels would pay fees labeled 'navigation, insurance, and environmental protection' rather than tolls, effectively maintaining the payment system.
As The Zioneer reported on June 13, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman directly contradicted U.S. assertions that the strait is open to free navigation, stating that Tehran considers the waterway under its sovereignty and Oman's. A U.S. official had told NBC on June 12 that shipping continued to transit normally. The gap between the two positions has widened with each new incident. An Iranian source quoted by journalist Ben Yaniv on June 19 threatened to attack any vessel attempting to cross, while on the same day Israel time reports emerged of stricter transit rules including mandatory Iranian insurance.
The report of Thursday's missile strike remains uncorroborated by any official body such as the UKMTO, and no party has claimed responsibility. The extent of damage and potential casualties have not been independently confirmed.
7 developments
- StrongIRGC attacks vessel off Oman in Strait of Hormuz, following threats to close strait
- StrongIRGC warns Oman against bypassing Iran in Strait of Hormuz transit
- DevelopingIRGC-affiliated news agency claims Iranian missile hit US Navy ship off Oman
- DevelopingIRGC says it struck two vessels attempting to illegally cross the Strait of Hormuz
Source and signal
- Internal intake