Iran, US issue conflicting claims over Strait of Hormuz after failed Oman talks
The latest escalation followed the breakdown of indirect negotiations in Oman on Saturday that had sought a public commitment to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels
Iran said the Strait of Hormuz was closed on Sunday following the collapse of indirect talks with the United States in Oman, while Washington said the strategic waterway remained open to commercial shipping despite a sharp decline in vessel traffic.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had closed the strait after a vessel was struck while travelling on what it described as an unapproved route. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and President Donald Trump disputed the claim, saying commercial traffic continued through the waterway, says Reuters.
Ship-tracking data showed only six vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the lowest daily volume in five weeks. Some tankers that crossed the passage, including one carrying two million barrels of Iranian oil, switched off their transponders during the transit.
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Diplomatic talks collapse
The latest escalation followed the breakdown of indirect negotiations in Oman on Saturday that had sought a public commitment to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels.
Iran said the talks failed because of what it described as "overt and covert" US pressure on Omani mediators. Senior Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf later said the "era of one-sided deals is OVER". President Trump has said he considers a previous ceasefire memorandum of understanding to be void.
Iran has said normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz can only resume if the US withdraws its military intervention from the waterway.
Military tensions spread across the Gulf
The diplomatic breakdown has been accompanied by a widening military confrontation across the Gulf.
The IRGC said it had targeted US military assets in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. It claimed to have destroyed US command-and-control centres in Jordan, radar systems in Oman and Kuwait, and jet maintenance facilities in Qatar. It also said it had shot down a US LUCAS drone near Bandar Abbas.
Several countries reported attacks or security incidents but disputed some of Iran's claims.
Jordan said it intercepted four Iranian missiles and reported no damage, contradicting Iran's assertion that ammunition depots had been destroyed.
Bahrain said warning sirens sounded on three occasions on Monday morning.
Qatar reported three people were injured by falling shrapnel and said it held Iran "fully legally responsible" for the incident.
In Kuwait, an attack on an oil drilling platform reportedly injured one worker.
Oman said it had summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest drone attacks in two regions of the country.
Shipping uncertainty remains
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world's seaborne oil exports passes, remains a focal point of tensions as the US and Iran continue to issue conflicting statements over security and navigation in the Gulf.
