Iran launched an explosive-laden suicide drone at a cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, an act that jeopardizes a fragile truce with the United States and comes amid sensitive negotiations over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. US officials confirmed to The Washington Post that a Singaporean-flagged vessel was targeted by an Iranian Shahed drone in the evening.
The ship sustained significant damage to its bridge, though no injuries or fatalities have been reported. This incident follows warnings issued by Iranian state media to oil tankers, indicating restricted routes and declaring other passages through the strait as "completely dangerous."
The attack occurs as the US and Iran are engaged in delicate discussions aimed at establishing a long-term peace agreement that would curb Tehran's nuclear program. President Donald Trump had previously stated that the US would retaliate against Iran if it violated a recently signed ceasefire, which included provisions for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply transits.
Despite President Trump's declaration that the strait was reopened following the ceasefire, only 50 vessels passed through the waterway on Wednesday. The current attack's impact on traffic through the strait remains unclear, and Iran has not issued a direct statement regarding the incident.
The route targeted by Iran had been designated as a safe shipping lane for oil tankers by the United Nations maritime service. The peace agreement, signed last week, stipulated that Iran would use its "best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days." Ensuring the unimpeded flow of traffic through the strait, which had previously disrupted global oil and gas supplies and contributed to rising fuel and food prices, was a key US objective during the negotiations.
The agreement also outlines that Iran will collaborate with Oman to "define the future administration and maritime services" of the strait, although uncertainty persists regarding the situation beyond the initial 60-day period. US diplomatic efforts with Iran are being led by Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are pressing the regime to abandon its enriched uranium stockpile and nuclear ambitions.
Previously, Iran had effectively closed the strait at the outset of hostilities using speedboats, drones, and naval mines. In the months that followed, US gasoline prices surged to over $4.50 per gallon on average, while Europe and Asia implemented oil rationing measures.