Tensions between the United States and Iran intensified again Monday after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard issued a new warning to Washington, while a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile near the Strait of Hormuz.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Mohebbi, warned that Iran could change its weapons, military tactics and targets if the conflict with the United States escalates further.
Iranian state media reported the remarks as the conflict enters another tense phase after more than six months of fighting.
Tanker Hit Near Strait of Hormuz
At the same time, the British military reported that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile while entering the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
Two crew members were injured in the incident.
Authorities had not immediately identified who was responsible for the strike, making the incident another source of uncertainty around one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
Shipping Through Hormuz Remains Severely Disrupted
Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below pre-war levels.
According to shipping data reported by Reuters, 17 commodity vessels crossed the strait over the weekend, compared with 37 during the previous weekend.
Before the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28, approximately 125 large commercial vessels per day typically traveled through the waterway.
Some Middle Eastern oil producers are still moving crude through the region using tankers with their tracking transponders switched off.
Why the Strait Matters
Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, making developments around the narrow waterway important far beyond the Middle East.
Continued attacks or further restrictions on shipping could affect transportation costs, energy supplies and global oil markets.
Despite the sharp decline in visible vessel traffic, oil continues to move through the region as producers search for alternative ways to maintain exports.
U.S.–Iran Tensions Remain High
The latest Iranian warning and tanker incident highlight the continuing risks surrounding the conflict.
With commercial shipping already disrupted and military tensions remaining high, developments around the Strait of Hormuz will continue to be closely watched by Washington, energy markets and governments around the world.
What could another escalation around the Strait of Hormuz mean for global oil prices?