Iran fires on at least two ships near Oman after re-closing Strait of Hormuz

Key Points:

• The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired on two Indian-flagged ships near Oman, damaging one tanker and a container ship, and subsequently declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, disrupting vital maritime traffic.
• The attacks occurred amid US plans to seize Tehran-linked oil tankers globally to pressure Iran's economy and compel it to reopen the strait and negotiate on nuclear issues, leading to many ships avoiding the area.
• Iran imposed new maritime protocols requiring vessels to pay tolls for passage through the strait, effectively controlling and prioritizing traffic, while threatening to target ships that do not comply.
• The US maintained a naval presence in the region to support freedom of navigation, with President Trump downplaying the closure's long-term impact and emphasizing ongoing diplomatic talks despite tensions.
• The incident highlights escalating maritime conflict in a critical shipping corridor, with backchannel diplomacy involving Pakistani mediators ongoing but no formal commitment yet to renewed US-Iran talks.