Following up on “Unstrait is the gate,” I think this deserves a separate note:
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired at least two missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz early on Tuesday, two senior U.S. officials told Axios. Both ships suffered significant damage, but no casualties were reported, one of the cited officials said.
U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed one of the incidents, saying a tanker “reported being hit by an unknown projectile on the port side causing a fire, whilst traveling southbound.”
“No casualties or environmental impact reported. Authorities are investigating,” the maritime body stated. “Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”
The reported attacks came after a week-long deal between Iran and the United States, under which Tehran had agreed to temporarily halt attacks in and around the strategic shipping lane, expired.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that Tehran would not begin negotiations on a final agreement with the U.S. “if threats continue.”
The story concludes on what seems a biting note:
U.S. President Donald Trump said on July 1 that the technical talks were going “very good.” Tehran has “come a long way” in implementing the MoU and was “getting along very well” with the United States, he told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
“We hit them very hard last week,” Trump said when asked about reports he had considered resuming all-out war with Iran. He added, “I think they’re fine.”
What now?
Whole thing here.
