US and Iran Duel Over Hormuz as Ship Attacks Rise

US and Iran both assert they control passage through the Strait of Hormuz, even as merchant vessels face a surge in attacks. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy declared the waterway shut, while US Central Command said it stays open and that most traffic moves safely. CENTCOM’s Navy Captain Tim Hawkins told Fox News Digital that roughly 97% of ships have crossed without being struck, and US forces have helped safeguard thousands of vessels on Saturday. Since Friday, five tankers have been hit; UK Maritime Trade Operations recorded one strike from a rocket‑propelled grenade launched by a small boat and totals of 135 incidents since the Iran‑US clash began. The IRGC reported that a supertanker carrying over two million barrels of crude hit a sea mine in what it called an unauthorised zone, causing a major fire, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia reported drones intercepted over its capital, and Egypt’s president asked lawmakers to approve assistance for Riyadh.

Context

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and handles a large share of world oil trade; any disruption can affect global fuel prices and shipping routes.