Key facts
- A supertanker caught fire after striking two naval mines in the southern Strait of Hormuz.
- US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday.
- Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned U.S. actions as 'hostile' and a violation of a ceasefire.
- Oil prices rose significantly, with Brent Crude moving above $90 per barrel and WTI Crude topping $85 per barrel.
- US President Donald Trump stated the renewed US campaign against Iran would not continue for 'too long'.
- President Trump said Washington was ready to attack Iran again after extensive strikes across the country killed at least 19 Iranians.
- White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with UAE's national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed al Nahyan to discuss Iran.
A supertanker caught fire after striking two naval mines in the southern Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC stated the vessel was attempting to illegally transit the waterway and warned that other vessels violating security rules would face similar consequences.
This incident follows renewed hostilities in the region over the weekend. On Sunday, U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island, which sits within the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) described the action as a 'limited, precise action against IRGC minelaying forces posing an imminent threat.'
The escalating tensions have pushed oil prices higher. As of early morning in Europe, Brent Crude prices rose 3% to $90.72 per barrel, while the U.S. benchmark, WTI Crude, topped $85 per barrel, up 2.8%.
Previously, U.S. forces had fired on and disabled two Iranian tankers on Tuesday, with the U.S. military stating it thwarted attacks on three Navy ships and struck Iranian military facilities in response. The United Arab Emirates reported engaging two ballistic missiles and three drones launched by Iran. Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. actions as 'hostile' and a violation of a ceasefire. Satellite images indicate an oil slick of approximately 80,000 barrels spilled from Iran's Kharg Island crude export terminal.
US President Donald Trump said Washington was ready to attack Iran again after extensive strikes across the country killed at least 19 Iranians. "We blew up much more than their radar last night. It was a very heavy attack last night, and we’re prepared to do another one any time we want," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with UAE's national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed al Nahyan on the Italian island of Sardinia to discuss subsequent actions amid the war on Iran and other issues.