Iran Attempts to Strike Commercial Ships in Strait of Hormuz, CBS Reports
Tehran forces attack two oil tankers making “illegal passage” amid declaration of complete blockade on strategic waterway following fresh U.S. airstrikes.
THE PERSIAN GULF — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has attacked two commercial oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, CBS News has confirmed, as Tehran declared the strategic waterway “completely closed” to all vessels following a new wave of U.S. military strikes .
The attacks, which targeted vessels the IRGC described as making “illegal passage” through the strait, represent a dramatic escalation of tensions that have pushed the fragile April ceasefire to the brink of total collapse . The attempted strikes come just one day after U.S. forces launched additional “self-defense strikes” on Iranian military targets, including surveillance sites and communication facilities .
What Happened: Ships Targeted, Strait Closed
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command — Iran’s highest joint military command — announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships. The command warned that “any vessel attempting to pass through the strait will be targeted” .
Hours later, the IRGC Navy announced it had struck two oil tankers that were attempting what it called “illegal passage” through the waterway . It remains unclear which countries’ vessels were attacked, the extent of the damage, or the condition of the crews involved. The IRGC has not released further details about the identities or nationalities of the targeted ships .
An Iranian security source told the state-run IRIB News that the confrontation followed “fresh acts of aggression and maritime provocations by the terrorist and child-killing US regime against Iran’s southern coasts the previous night” . The source emphasized that the IRGC Navy has “closed the Strait of Hormuz to unsafe and provocative navigation” and warned that “captains and ship masters should not be deceived by the false assurances or provocations of the US regime” .
Iran Warns of ‘Hell’ for US
The attacks on commercial shipping came with an explicit and chilling warning from senior Iranian military commanders. Seyed Majid Mousavi, commander of the IRGC’s air force, warned that “if the Strait of Hormuz is threatened, Iran will retaliate by turning the entire region into hell for the United States” .
This warning aligns with a broader pattern of escalating rhetoric from Tehran. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command rejected U.S. claims that ships continue to pass through the strait, asserting that such information is “false” . The command stated its decision to close the waterway was made in the context of continued “hostile actions” by the United States and previous attacks earlier in the day in Hormozgan province in southern Iran .
US Response: Strikes and Denials
The Iranian escalation came in direct response to a new wave of U.S. airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump. The U.S. military conducted the strikes “in response to acts of aggression from Iran” and described them as “self-defense strikes” against Iranian military targets .
President Trump warned on Thursday that Iran would be hit “hard” and that Tehran has taken “too long to make a deal” to end the war . Writing on Truth Social, Trump stated that Iranian leaders have “taken too long to negotiate a deal” .
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later confirmed that bombs would be “dropping on key facilities in Iran,” stating that Iran had been given a chance to make a deal but had not taken it . “We hit them hard yesterday and we’re going to hit them hard again today,” Trump wrote .
In response to the U.S. strikes, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Iran “will stand firm against any pressure or threat” .
US Central Command Rejects Iranian Claims
US Central Command (CENTCOM) has rejected Iran’s claim that the strait is closed and that U.S. warships were struck. Following the confrontation, CENTCOM stated that no US warships were hit by Iranian fire .
A spokesperson for the Pentagon reiterated that the United States maintains freedom of navigation in international waters and that commercial shipping continues to transit the strait — a claim Iran denies .
This contradictory information underscores the fog of war gripping the region, as both sides attempt to shape the narrative around who controls the world’s most critical oil chokepoint.
‘Phantom’ Minefields and the ‘Shadow War’
The attacks on commercial shipping are the latest and most dangerous phase of a “shadow war” that has been quietly escalating beneath the surface of the fragile ceasefire.
According to a recent report by the Associated Press, the United States has been unable to find or destroy any explosive mines that Iran laid in the strait months ago [citation:previous coverage]. This failure has created a “phantom” minefield that remains a constant threat to any vessel attempting to transit the waterway.
Even before Thursday’s attacks, Iran had already established a formal toll system in the strait, requiring vessels to submit identifying documentation, cargo information, and destination details to Iranian authorities . The European Union has since sanctioned two Iranian officials — Mohammad Akbarzadeh, Deputy Commander for Political Affairs of the IRGC Navy, and Hamid Hosseini, a representative of Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union — for their roles in enforcing this system .
IMO Condemns Attacks
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has condemned the escalating attacks on commercial shipping, calling such actions “completely unacceptable” .
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez expressed deep concern over the incidents, stating that any conduct that endangers the lives of sailors and the safety of international maritime transport is “completely unacceptable” .
According to the IMO, since the conflict began on February 28, there have been 43 attacks on international vessels in the Strait of Hormuz . This staggering figure highlights the degree to which the waterway has become a war zone, endangering civilian sailors and global trade.
Despite the attacks, some commercial traffic continues. Data from maritime tracking company Kpler shows that approximately 103 oil tankers have left the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz since March 1, carrying a total of 185 million barrels of crude oil . Iranian oil accounted for the largest share with 92 million barrels, followed by the UAE with 42 million barrels and Iraq with 22 million barrels .
The Collapse of Diplomacy
The military escalation comes as diplomatic efforts to end the war — mediated by Pakistan — have completely stalled. Just days before the attacks, the IAEA passed a resolution demanding that Iran provide “complete information” about its stockpile of near weapons-grade nuclear material [citation:previous coverage].
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who met with a Pakistani envoy in Tehran on Sunday, has stated that “no tangible progress” has been made in peace talks with the US [citation:previous coverage]. His assessment now appears prophetic.
The window for diplomacy appears to be closing, if it has not already slammed shut. As the IMO noted, the attacks on the strait did not occur in a vacuum — they were explicitly justified by Iran as a response to what Tehran perceives as “continued violations of the ceasefire” by the United States .
What Comes Next
With Iran declaring the strait closed, attacking commercial vessels, and both sides exchanging heavy airstrikes, the region appears to be sliding back into full-scale war.
| Scenario | Likelihood | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Full blockade of Hormuz | High | Iran has declared it; has military capability to enforce |
| Oil price surge | High | Even threat of closure rattles markets |
| Further US airstrikes | Very High | Trump has promised to hit Iran “hard again today” |
| Full collapse of ceasefire | Imminent | Both sides have abandoned restraints |
The United States has demonstrated its ability to strike Iranian territory with impunity. Iran has now demonstrated its willingness to directly attack commercial shipping — a red line that will likely provoke a fierce international response.
As one Iranian commander put it: “Following the criminal actions of the American terrorist army on Iran’s southern coasts, the IRGC Navy has closed the Strait of Hormuz to unsafe and provocative navigation” .
For the global economy, this is a nightmare scenario. The Strait of Hormuz carries approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil supply. A sustained closure would trigger an immediate and severe energy crisis, sending fuel prices soaring and potentially tipping the global economy into recession.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What happened in the Strait of Hormuz according to CBS News?
A: The IRGC Navy attacked two commercial oil tankers that were attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s top military command also declared the strait “completely closed” to all vessels, warning that any ship attempting to pass would be targeted .
Q2: Why did Iran attack the oil tankers?
A: Iran claimed the tankers were making “illegal passage” and violating Iranian security directives. A security source stated the attack followed “fresh acts of aggression and maritime provocations by the US regime” against Iran’s southern coasts .
Q3: How did the United States respond?
A: The U.S. has launched additional airstrikes on Iranian military targets, with President Trump warning Iran would be hit “hard” and that Tehran has taken “too long to make a deal” . CENTCOM has rejected Iran’s claim that the strait is closed, stating that no US warships were hit .
Q4: Is the Strait of Hormuz completely closed?
A: Iran has declared it closed, but the U.S. disputes this claim. US Central Command states that commercial shipping continues to transit the waterway. However, independent data confirms a dramatic reduction in traffic .
Q5: What is the status of the US-Iran ceasefire?
A: The ceasefire has effectively collapsed. Both sides have exchanged multiple rounds of airstrikes and maritime attacks. While the April agreement has not been formally terminated, neither side is adhering to its terms .
Q6: What did the IMO say about the attacks?
A: IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez condemned the attacks, stating that any actions endangering sailors and international shipping are “completely unacceptable.” The IMO noted there have been 43 attacks on vessels in the strait since the conflict began .
This is a developing story. Reflecto News will continue to provide updates on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the escalating US-Iran conflict.
