Updated Jul 7, 2026 - World

Strait of Hormuz: Iran attacks three ships in 24 hours, U.S. says

Barak Ravid

Calm sea with several cargo ships and barges, some in the foreground and others on the hazy horizon; distant ships fade into a pale gray sky. — Crude oil tankers, bulk carriers and vessels sit anchored around Qaboos Port in June in Muscat, Oman. Photo: Elke Scholiers/Getty Images

Iran's military fired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, two U.S. officials tell Axios.

The IRGC attacked a third commercial ship on Tuesday morning, a U.S. official said.

Why it matters: The reported attacks threaten to unravel a memorandum of understanding signed less than three weeks ago under which Iran agreed to halt attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

And they come after a one-week agreement between the U.S. and Iran on halting attacks in the strait expired.
The U.S. is likely to retaliate with strikes against Iranian targets.

Driving the news: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said Monday that it had received a report from a tanker traveling south near Oman along the Strait of Hormuz coast that had been struck by an unknown projectile, causing a fire.

A U.S. official said a second commercial vessel had been struck by an Iranian missile.
Both vessels suffered significant damage but no casualties, the U.S. official said.

State of play: A round of indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran in Doha, Qatar, last week ended without much progress on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Strait of Hormuz: Iran attacks three ships in 24 hours, U.S. says

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