Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have escalated sharply after reports that a tanker was struck by an "unidentified projectile" on Saturday. The report comes amid renewed exchanges of attacks between the United States and Iran despite a recently signed interim peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East.
Fresh Ship Strike Reported
According to a Reuters report, citing Britain’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a tanker passing through the waterway sustained damage to its bridge. All crew members were reported safe. Another British marine security firm, Vanguard Tech, said the vessel was the Panama-flagged tanker KIKU. The incident comes shortly after earlier strikes on a cargo ship near the Strait on Thursday and has raised concerns over the stability of the fragile ceasefire deal.
Will Peace Deal Collapse?
Iran and the US have accused each other of violating the agreement reached two weeks ago to end months of conflict. Washington said it carried out strikes on Iranian targets overnight, while Tehran claimed it had responded with attacks on US-linked positions. Tehran has not directly confirmed the tanker attack but state media reported that the Revolutionary Guards had fired "warning shots" at ships not using approved routes.
Iranian state television said the IRGC had delivered "a decisive response" after US forces hit a communications tower in the port city of Sirik. Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s regional headquarters also reported an Iranian drone attack. Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, said the US had violated the war-ending memorandum of understanding by supporting what he called proxy forces in the region and creating tensions in the Strait.
JD Vance Says 'Violence Will Be Met With Violence'
Bahrain also emphasised that Iran's latest attacks violated the MoU. Earlier in the day, Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliament national security committee, warned that any violation of Iran’s shipping instructions would be met decisively. Similarly, US Vice President JD Vance said the Americans had adhered to the ceasefire deal, and Iran was to blame for any return to conflict that might result from its actions.
ALSO READ: US Strikes Iranian Facilities In Response To Attack On Vessel In Strait Of Hormuz
"Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone. But violence will be met with violence," Vance said on X. Meanwhile, in view of the latest attacks, Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over the phone and expressed his concern.
You May Also Like To Watch: