In the past 24 hours, prior to US strikes, Iran intensified attacks on commercial vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz without coordinating with Tehran, using the shipping lane near Oman, according to reports. Iran is attempting to reshape the ceasefire rules, seeking to require coordination with the IRGC for any passage. The US views this as a violation of the bilateral MOU.
Iran intensified attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours, targeting ships using the alternative shipping lane off Oman's coast without coordinating with Tehran, according to reports. The escalation is part of an Iranian attempt to reshape the maritime cease-fire rules, seeking to require all vessels to coordinate with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) before crossing the strait. The US views this as a violation of the bilateral memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.
The Zioneer has been tracking the sequence of attacks since Tuesday afternoon. At 17:17 Jerusalem, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a vessel attack with minor damage. Shortly after, a third vessel attack was confirmed. A US official then told CNN that Iran struck three commercial vessels in Omani waters, calling it a 'blatant violation' of maritime agreements. Later, the US said it was considering a range of response options. By 17:17, journalist Amichai Stein reported that Iran had launched five missiles and drones at the three ships. Later Tuesday evening, at 20:39 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that the IRGC attacked a vessel in the Strait overnight.
The broader context of Iranian maritime aggression dates back to mid-June, when Iran began targeting shipping in the southern Hormuz lane, reportedly to enforce protection payments and assert control over the strategic chokepoint, as The Zioneer reported on June 27. The US Navy has been escorting tankers through the route, but attacks have continued nightly, according to an NBC report cited by The Zioneer on June 17. The current escalation suggests Tehran is pushing for a new status quo that would require coordination with the IRGC for any passage.
It remains unclear whether the reported US strikes mentioned in some accounts have taken place, as no official confirmation has been published in the thread. The exact number of vessels attacked in the latest 24-hour period also has not been specified beyond the three confirmed earlier Tuesday. The coordination demand attributed to Iran has not been formally announced by Tehran.
7 developments
- DevelopingAnalysis: Iran attacks global shipping lanes in Strait of Hormuz while world focuses on Israel
- StrongIran launches ballistic missiles at ships in Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingVessels continue transiting Omani shipping lane in Strait of Hormuz despite Iranian threats
- DevelopingUS Navy escorts tankers through Iranian-threatened Hormuz route despite recent attacks
Source and signal
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