Iran Attacks Merchant Ships in Strait of Hormuz Amid Khamenei Funeral Procession

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly fired at least two missiles at a merchant vessel sailing through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (6/7). The aggressive action reinforced Tehran’s military warnings regarding maritime traffic in the strategic waterway. Iranian state television, IRIB, reported that a Qatari oil tanker was targeted after attempting to transit the Omani side of the strait under escort by the United States Navy. The vessel was struck after ignoring repeated warnings, according to the IRIB report on Tuesday (7/7). The account aligns with information from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which disclosed that a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman, sparking a serious fire on board. UKMTO stated the projectile struck the port side of the hull, causing a blaze as the vessel sailed southwards. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the type of projectile used. Prior to the shooting, the Iranian military had repeatedly issued warnings via radio communication, instructing transiting ships not to enter the Strait of Hormuz without official permission. Iran explicitly warned it would open fire if the instructions were ignored. In response to the increasingly dangerous situation, UKMTO has urged all vessels operating in the area to exercise heightened vigilance and report any suspicious activity immediately. Maritime tracking data indicates at least six oil and gas carriers were observed using the Omani side of the route on Sunday (5/7). However, several ships are suspected of deliberately switching off their transponders to avoid digital tracking by the Iranian military, a phenomenon known as ‘dark transits’. Last week, at least eight vessels reportedly cancelled their routes or turned back while attempting to cross the Omani lane, with four forced to divert into Iranian waters before eventually exiting the strait. Western military forces assess the current threat level in the Strait of Hormuz to be at its highest, citing risks of missile attacks, seizures, and the suspected presence of naval mines endangering international shipping.