IRGC missile strike damages two commercial ships, sets Qatari LNG tanker ablaze in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly fired missiles at commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday afternoon, damaging two ships and setting a Qatari LNG tanker ablaze near Oman, according to maritime security sources. The attack follows earlier ballistic missile strikes on shipping in the waterway and threatens the fragile U.S.-Iran maritime pause.

Tuesday afternoon saw a sharp escalation in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly launched missiles at commercial shipping, damaging two vessels and setting a Qatari LNG tanker ablaze off the coast of Oman, according to maritime security sources cited in a curated news feed. This is the latest in a series of IRGC strikes on commercial shipping in the strategic waterway.

The attack follows a day of intensifying actions. As The Zioneer reported, the escalation began overnight with multiple reports of Iran striking civilian merchant vessels (first reported at 03:34 Jerusalem, with Axios and US officials confirming heavy damage). By 12:56 Jerusalem, our desk reported that Iran had launched ballistic missiles at ships in the strait, and at 13:43 Jerusalem, the IRGC formally acknowledged striking a Saudi oil tanker and a Qatari gas tanker overnight. The current attack, which reportedly threatens to collapse the U.S.-Iran maritime de-escalation understandings, is still being assessed.

The Zioneer has been tracking the crisis since the weekend, with warning shots and missile launches reported earlier (Saturday, June 13). The extent of damage to the vessels and any casualties from the latest attack are not yet confirmed.

15 developments

1. 45 minutes ago · 14:51 · 7 JulLatest

   Fire continues to burn in engine room, explosion risk remains.

2. 14:46 · 7 Jul

   Damaged Qatari tanker at risk of exploding due to engine room fire.

3. 13:45 · 7 Jul

   Two commercial ships damaged and Qatari LNG tanker set ablaze.

• Strong7 hours ago · 08:36 · 7 JulIranian state media claims gas tanker attacked in Strait of Hormuz after ignoring warnings
• Strong02:09 · 12 JunIranian source: explosion near Sirik tied to tanker confrontation in Strait of Hormuz
• Developing19:08 · 27 JunBritish tanker attacked in Strait of Hormuz, Iranian-linked source says
• Developing20:00 · 10 JunCENTCOM strikes oil tanker attempting to breach blockade in Strait of Hormuz

Source and signal

• Internal intake