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🇮🇹 Italy /Conflict & Security

Iran attacks Hormuz again amid Khamenei funerals

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Three commercial ships, including one from Qatar, were hit in the Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours.
  • US and Gulf sources attribute the attacks to Iran, which is currently holding mass funerals for its former supreme leader.
  • The threat level in the Strait of Hormuz has been raised to "grave" following the incidents.

The Strait of Hormuz has again become a flashpoint, with at least three commercial vessels, including a Qatari ship, struck in transit within a 24-hour period. The attacks, which caused material damage but no casualties, have been attributed by U.S. and Gulf sources to Iran.

These incidents occur while Iran is still observing mass funerals for its former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in a Feb. 28 Israeli-U.S. raid. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency has raised the threat level for Hormuz from "significant" to "grave" due to these "Iranian raids."

Tehran appears to be sending a message asserting its control over the strategic waterway connecting the Persian and Oman gulfs. Traffic in the region has been resuming amid heightened tensions. The situation around Hormuz, already a delicate issue in recent negotiations leading to a preliminary Iran-U.S. understanding in mid-June, now risks reigniting conflict.

This is an unacceptable attack on the security of international maritime navigation.

— Majed Al AnsariThe official spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemning the attack on the Qatari vessel.

The targeting of the Qatari vessel Al Rekayyat, carrying gas, is seen as a blow to Doha's strategic interests. Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, condemned the attack as "unacceptable" and called on Iran, which he identified as "fully legally responsible," to "immediately cease all practices that compromise regional security."

Reports indicate the Al Rekayyat was hit on its left side, causing an engine room fire that prompted the captain to issue a 'mayday' call, raising fears of an explosion. A Saudi ship, possibly the supertanker Weydan, and a third vessel were also reportedly targeted. The attacks have impacted markets, with natural gas prices rising above 46 euros per MWh. Iran has not officially claimed responsibility for the raids, with its leadership publicly focused on the funerals of Khamenei, though Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a warning against "enemy threats."

We will not be intimidated by the enemy's threats.

— Abbas AraghchiIran's Foreign Minister issuing a warning via social media.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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