Iranian gunboats opened fire on a commercial oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday morning, marking a violent end to a brief regional ceasefire. The attack occurred just hours after the White House issued a statement assuring global markets that the strategic waterway remained open and secure.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it has officially resumed "strict management" of the maritime corridor following the incident. This sudden escalation has sent shockwaves through international energy markets as oil prices began to climb in early trading.
Earlier on Saturday, President Donald Trump warned the Iranian government that the United States would not be intimidated by threats to global shipping. He emphasized that Tehran cannot blackmail the United States over the corridor and promised a swift response to any interference with commerce.
The targeted vessel, identified as the Indian-flagged VLCC Sanmar Herald, reportedly sustained minor damage from the gunfire but no casualties were confirmed. Naval assets from the U.S. Fifth Fleet are moving toward the scene to provide assistance and monitor further Iranian movements.
The collapse of the fragile two-week ceasefire follows a period of intense diplomatic negotiations aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf. Analysts suggest that the IRGC’s decision to fire on the vessel signals a hardline shift within the Iranian leadership.
Maritime security firms have issued urgent warnings to all commercial vessels transiting the region to exercise extreme caution and maintain high alert. The Strait of Hormuz remains the world's most important oil chokepoint, handling approximately one-fifth of the global petroleum supply.
Defense officials at the Pentagon are currently briefing the President on potential military options to ensure the continued flow of trade through the strait. The administration has reiterated its commitment to protecting international waters from what it describes as state-sponsored piracy.
Global leaders have called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to address the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the Iranian foreign ministry has yet to issue an official diplomatic statement regarding the specific incident involving the tanker.