Fresh attacks rattle Strait of Hormuz transit

A Panama-flagged oil tanker was struck by a projectile near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, further destabilising the region and threatening the fragile US-Iran peace accord.

IMAGE: Getty Images

The oil tanker, M/T Kiku, carrying over 2 million bbls of crude oil, sustained damage to its bridge while transiting near the Strait, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and US Central Command (CENTCOM).

This incident follows an attack last week on the Singapore-flagged container ship Ever Lovely, which was struck about 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Dahit, Oman.

In response to these vessel attacks, the US CENTCOM launched strikes on Iranian military targets, including air defense sites and surveillance infrastructure. CENTCOM stated on social media platform X that the mission was a “direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping.”

Shortly after, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missile strikes against US targets in the Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain and the Al Salam military base in Kuwait, Reuters reported, citing Iranian state media.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!” US President Donald Trump wrote on social media platform Truth Social, after Tehran violated the ceasefire agreement again.

The tit-for-tat strikes come after the IRGC Navy issued a warning to commercial vessels last week, cautioning them against using unauthorised routes through the region.

These renewed hostilities have severely undermined the 60-day US-Iran peace accord. The escalation initially drove Brent crude’s price higher, although the rally stalled shortly after Washington and Tehran agreed to halt hostilities and resume negotiations, Reuters reported, citing a US official.

Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) is now working to resume the evacuation of stranded vessels and seafarers from the area, a mission that was suspended last week, Reuters reported, citing a senior UN official.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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