Escalation in 'Hormuz'.. Tehran sticks to its conditions

Tensions have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman following renewed attacks on commercial vessels and oil tankers, which have driven the number of ships transiting the strait to its lowest level in over two months, according to Reuters. The attacks on oil tankers last week reached their highest level since the outbreak of the war. The United States and Iran are exchanging maritime pressure measures amid concerns over the security and economic repercussions for global energy supplies.

Alongside the ground escalation, Tehran has insisted on implementing its seven conditions in any negotiation track with Washington, while its president, Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasized the importance of continuing diplomatic consultations.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the disabling of a commercial cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman while it attempted to breach the naval blockade imposed on Iran, after ignoring U.S. warnings. In a statement posted on the X platform, CENTCOM said a U.S. fighter jet fired precision-guided munitions at the stern of the Panama-flagged vessel “Ocean Mollie,” also known as “Arica Sun,” disabling its propulsion system without causing complete damage to the ship or its crew.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also reported that a tanker was fired upon in the Strait of Hormuz by an unidentified projectile that struck its port side, igniting a fire on board, according to the captain’s report. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also announced that an oil tanker exploded and caught fire after striking a sea mine while transiting the strait.