Maritime Tensions Rise in the Strait of Hormuz Amid Conflicting Statements

Two maritime incidents were reported in the Strait of Hormuz over a weekend of shifting statements from Iranian authorities regarding access to the strategic waterway. The developments occur against a backdrop of a sustained U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and ongoing diplomatic tensions.

Reported Maritime Incidents

• The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report of an incident on Saturday in which two Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboats fired upon a tanker transiting the strait. The tanker and its crew were reported safe.
• Hours later, the UKMTO reported a second incident involving a container ship approximately 46 kilometers off the coast of Oman. The vessel was hit by an unknown projectile, causing damage to some containers. No fires or environmental damage were reported, and an investigation is underway.

An Indian government source stated that India summoned Iran's ambassador after an Indian-flagged crude oil carrier was attacked while attempting to cross the strait.

TankerTrackers.com also reported that two Indian-flagged vessels were forced to turn around after being fired upon.

Shifting Statements on Strait Access

Conflicting statements from Iranian officials created uncertainty over the status of the strait.

• On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on social media that the Strait of Hormuz would be "open" to traffic, with management continuing in coordination with the IRGC.
• On Saturday, an IRGC spokesperson and Iran's joint military command stated the waterway had reverted to its "previous state, under strict management and control of the armed forces."
• Iranian state media later confirmed full supervision by Iranian armed forces. A spokesperson for Iran's Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya stated that as long as U.S. restrictions on vessel movement remain, the strait "will remain tightly controlled."

The U.S. Naval Blockade and Regional Context

The U.S. has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports and coastline. U.S. Central Command reported that 23 vessels have been forced to turn away from the blockade zone since it began on April 13.

• U.S. President Donald Trump stated the blockade would remain until a full agreement is reached with Iran, adding that Iran "can't blackmail us."
• In response, the Iranian military said it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the U.S. blockade remains in effect.
• Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated Iran was not ready for new face-to-face talks with the U.S., citing the U.S.'s "maximalist position."

Vessel Movements and Advisories

Following the initial Friday announcements, some ships began moving toward the strait. A convoy of several LPG and oil products tankers, many of which were sanctioned or linked to Iran, transited the strait on Saturday.

After the IRGC's Saturday statement reimposing control, ships following that convoy began turning around. Merchant vessels reportedly received radio messages from Iran's navy stating they would not be allowed to transit.

The Joint Maritime Information Centre issued an advisory warning of a potential mine threat in the strait's traffic separation scheme.