More commercial ships attacked in Middle East, threatening Strait of Hormuz deal with Iran
WASHINGTON — Fresh attacks on commercial shipping and Iranian demands to charge fees in the Strait of Hormuz are threatening the progress of a potential breakthrough deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.A commercial ship sailing near Oman was struck by an unidentified projectile in the latest attack early Tuesday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), while another vessel was reportedly targeted nearby in a separate incident as authorities investigate.The flare-up came as Houthi rebels were blamed for sinking an Indian commercial vessel in the Red Sea on Tuesday, underscoring that key global shipping lanes remain under threat even as diplomats race to secure a wider agreement with Tehran.“The continued incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement confirming the attack.Despite the renewed violence, Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted Tuesday that negotiations are moving in the right direction.“There’s oil moving right now through the straits.You know there are ships moving through the straits.
There’s oil moving right now through the straits.So the straits are open, nonetheless,” Rubio said.“I think that there’s a conversation and negotiation that we are involved in between Oman and Iran on how more ships can be able to go through there safely in the short term as we move towards these longer-term talks about denuclearization.”“And suffice it to say, there’s been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet.”Rubio’s remarks echoed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s prediction earlier Tuesday that Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday to expand commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.“We are in talks with the Iranians,” Bessent said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “There is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait a...