U.S. Airstrikes Reported in Iran; Tankers Attacked, Hormuz Blockade Reimposed

U.S. forces are conducting airstrikes in Iran, a U.S. official said July 14. The strikes had been underway for the last couple of hours as of 1:49 PM EDT. Three Liberia-flagged oil tankers were attacked in separate incidents off Oman’s coast on July 14.

The tanker AL BAHYAH was struck off Musandam governorate, where 18 crew members were evacuated and three remained missing. The MOMBASA B lost propulsion after an attack off the same area, and all 21 crew members were evacuated, including six with injuries of varying severity.

The STOLT MAGNESIUM suffered an engine-room fire after an attack off South Al Sharqiyah governorate outside Omani territorial waters, though all 23 crew members were evacuated in good health.

Kuwait said its air defenses were confronting missile and drone attacks, with explosions resulting from interceptions. President Donald Trump backed off a threat to impose a 20 percent toll on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz. He stated the toll would be replaced by future trade and investment deals with Gulf allies after highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership.

Trump asserted the strait remained open to all ship traffic except for Iran and said the U.S. was reimplementing a naval blockade limited to ships coming to and from Iranian ports or carrying Iranian cargo. U.S.

Oil traded up over 3 percent and global oil up over 4 percent on July 14 morning. President Donald Trump announced major combat operations against Iran on Feb. -Israeli strikes on military, government and infrastructure sites.

Delegations from both countries entered negotiations in June based on a signed memorandum of understanding. The two sides have continued limited strikes despite the talks, with the Strait of Hormuz as the primary flashpoint.