More commercial ships attacked in Middle East, threatening Strait of Hormuz deal with Iran
WASHINGTON — Fresh attacks on commercial shipping and Iranian demands to charge fees in the Strait of Hormuz are threatening the progress of a potential breakthrough deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
A commercial ship sailing near Oman was struck by an unidentified projectile in the latest attack early Tuesday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), while another vessel was reportedly targeted nearby in a separate incident as authorities investigate.
The flare-up came as Houthi rebels were blamed for sinking an Indian commercial vessel in the Red Sea on Tuesday, underscoring that key global shipping lanes remain under threat even as diplomats race to secure a wider agreement with Tehran.
“The continued incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement confirming the attack.
Despite the renewed violence, Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted Tuesday that negotiations are moving in the right direction.
“There’s oil moving right now through the straits. You know there are ships moving through the straits. There’s oil moving right now through the straits. So the straits are open, nonetheless,” Rubio said.
“I think that there’s a conversation and negotiation that we are involved in between Oman and Iran on how more ships can be able to go through there safely in the short term as we move towards these longer-term talks about denuclearization.”
“And suffice it to say, there’s been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet.”
Rubio’s remarks echoed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s prediction earlier Tuesday that Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday to expand commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.
“We are in talks with the Iranians,” Bessent said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “There is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict.”
Bessent’s comments sent oil prices sliding, with crude dropping below $77 a barrel as traders bet the waterway could soon reopen.
But negotiations remain complicated by Iran’s insistence that it should play a central role in managing traffic through the strait. Tehran has claimed it would charge ships fees for using the waterway as part of an arrangement, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.
Trump administration officials firmly rejected that idea, calling the report “not accurate” and arguing the strait is an international waterway and warning they would not permit Iran to impose what amounts to tolls on global commerce.
“Any temporary routes will be without any impediments — meaning no approvals or permissions and no tolls or charges,” a US official told The Post. “The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and no party controls the lanes or the ability to transit through them.”
President Trump on Monday referred to the negotiations over the strait as “the last chance for them to sign a good document” before “decapitation,” referring to possible strikes to take out Iranian leadership.
He made the remarks after calling off what he described as strikes on Iran that would have rivaled “World War II” — with the understanding that Iran was ready to make a deal.
Tehran on Monday revealed the plan would involve just two paths — with the northern route hugging Iran’s coast serving as the entrance to the strait and a southern route near Oman acting as the exit.
UKMTO said the latest vessel struck near Oman sustained damage after being hit by an unidentified projectile, while regional authorities continue investigating the attack and have urged commercial ships to exercise extreme caution.
The violence highlights the fragile security environment facing negotiators as Oman continues talks with Iran over reopening Hormuz, and the US’ plans to eventually expand discussions to Iran’s nuclear program.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil, making it one of the planet’s most important maritime chokepoints.
