Iran shows force with ship and port strikes after US naval deployment in strait

DUBAI: Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz escalated sharply on Monday as suspected Iranian strikes hit multiple vessels and caused a fire at a UAE oil port, following a new US naval deployment aimed at reopening the strategic shipping route.

The United States said its Navy destroyers were supporting what President Donald Trump called “Project Freedom,” a mission designed to ensure safe passage for commercial shipping through the strait. Trump said US forces would guide vessels through the waterway to restore global energy flows.

However, shortly after the announcement, reports emerged of attacks on shipping. A South Korean-flagged merchant vessel was reportedly damaged by an explosion inside the strait, while British maritime officials said two ships were struck near the UAE coast. The Emirati port of Fujairah also experienced a fire following a drone attack attributed to Iran.

Iran denied responsibility for the incidents and said no commercial ships had passed through the strait during the reported period. Its Revolutionary Guards also rejected US claims that American vessels had successfully transited the waterway.

The U.S. military said two American-flagged merchant ships had crossed the strait safely, though it did not provide timing details. It also claimed its forces destroyed several Iranian small boats, a claim Tehran dismissed.

Iran further asserted that it had expanded its maritime control zone in the region, covering parts of international waters and nearby coastlines, raising further concerns among shipping operators.

Oil markets reacted sharply, with prices rising more than 5 per cent amid fears of broader disruption to global energy supplies. Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz handled roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Despite US efforts, major shipping companies have reportedly held back from sending vessels through the strait, waiting for clearer security assurances as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.