Iran launched missile attacks against commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, targeting at least one Qatari-owned liquefied natural gas tanker as diplomatic talks between Tehran and Washington remained at a standstill and regional tensions continued to climb.
Iranian state television, citing sources, confirmed that Tehran had struck at least one LNG tanker, claiming the vessel had disregarded warnings issued by Iranian forces. A U.S. official separately told Axios that two merchant ships had been hit by Iranian missiles.
One of the targeted ships was identified as the Al Rekayyat, an LNG tanker belonging to Qatar. According to The Wall Street Journal, the missile hit the vessel’s engine room, sparking a fire. No crew casualties were reported.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed early Tuesday that the tanker was struck on its port side while heading southbound, approximately 8 nautical miles — about 15 kilometers — east of Limah. The agency noted the strike caused a fire but reported no casualties and no environmental damage.
The strike came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had issued maritime warnings, announcing that its missiles and drones were ready to fire.
The attack unfolded against the backdrop of stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations, which have been paused during the funeral week for late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The talks have yet to produce any concrete agreement.
On Monday, President Trump stated he still favored reaching a diplomatic deal with Iran but made clear that military force remained an option if talks broke down. “Either we’ll make a deal or we’ll finish the job, and it won’t be that hard to finish the job there. But I prefer a deal,” President Trump said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pushed back against Washington’s warnings, posting on X that “millions of proud Iranians gathered to pay tribute to Khamenei and his legacy. Neither they nor our forces are intimidated by threats.”
Araghchi also directed a pointed message at the United States regarding the ongoing negotiations: “Article 13 of the Memorandum of Understanding is clear: negotiations on the final agreement will not begin if threats continue. Honor your signature.”
