Iran said it struck two tankers attempting to move through the Strait of Hormuz while under US military escort, adding a new flashpoint to an already tense regional conflict. The reported attack came as Tehran also stopped more vessels from exiting the key shipping route, increasing concerns about maritime security in one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
The developments pushed oil prices higher, reflecting market fears that disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could tighten supplies and deepen economic pressure beyond the immediate conflict zone. Any threat to tanker traffic in the narrow passage is closely watched because of its importance to global crude shipments.
In Washington, Donald Trump convened his cabinet as his administration assessed both the military situation and the economic fallout. The meeting took place against a backdrop of reports that the war was stalling, while rising energy costs added to the pressure on policymakers.
The combination of tanker strikes, halted vessels and higher oil prices suggests the confrontation is spilling further into commercial shipping. With the Strait of Hormuz again at the center of events, attention is focused on whether the crisis will widen and how the US and Iran respond next.
