Iran authorities say one dead after ship struck in Strait of Hormuz

A ship was struck in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, killing one person and injuring three others, local Iranian authorities said, as Tehran and Washington remain locked in a standoff over control of the strategic waterway.

What happened in the Strait of Hormuz attack?

A merchant vessel was hit around 5:00 am off Qeshm and Hengam islands, according to Qeshm's city governor, who did not identify the source of the strike. Several explosions were reported overnight near Qeshm, the strait's largest island, and a fire broke out onboard as local authorities worked to evacuate the crew.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations monitor said it had received reports of a vessel being struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the strait. "A fire has broken out onboard the vessel following the reported attack. Local authorities are on the scene and assisting in evacuating crew members," it said, without giving further details.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz a flashpoint between Iran and the US?

Control over the strait has become a major flashpoint in the six-month war between Iran and the United States. Iran blocked the waterway in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes that started the conflict on February 28, closing a route that was previously free and unobstructed.

Iran now requires vessels to obtain authorization before passing through the strait, citing security and sovereignty concerns, and is considering a mechanism to charge service fees. Vessels that fail to comply are frequently targeted by Iranian strikes, while the United States sporadically bombs the Iranian coast to challenge Tehran's control of the waterway.

What happens next for Iran and Gulf states over Hormuz?

The attack came a day before a scheduled meeting between Iran and Gulf states in Oman, which also borders the strait. The talks are set to focus on the blockaded route, a passage crucial for global oil and gas trade.