07.07.2026 07:00
As the world's attention turns to the NATO Leaders' Summit starting today in Ankara, a claim that raises tensions has emerged from the Middle East. US-based Axios alleged that Iran carried out a missile attack on two commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the claim, the ships sustained serious damage, but no casualties were reported. Iran has not yet made an official statement on the matter.
While the world's eyes are turned to the NATO Leaders Summit starting today hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a striking development that could escalate tensions in the Middle East has occurred.
US-based Axios reported, citing two unnamed US officials, that the Iranian military carried out a missile attack on two commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
CLAIM: SERIOUS DAMAGE TO BOTH SHIPS
According to the report, both commercial ships that were attacked suffered serious damage. US officials stated that no injuries or loss of life occurred by chance.
The report also suggested that the US could launch retaliatory strikes against military targets in Iran, while Iranian authorities have not yet made an official statement regarding the allegations.
UKMTO ALSO REPORTED A SUSPICIOUS ATTACK
Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced that a tanker sailing approximately 8 nautical miles east of Oman's coast off Limah was subjected to a suspicious attack.
According to the UKMTO statement, the southbound tanker was struck on its port side by an unidentified object. It was reported that a fire broke out on the vessel after the impact, but no injuries, loss of life, or environmental pollution were reported.
ALERT STATUS IN THE REGION
The UKMTO, which launched an investigation into the incident, called on ships passing through the area to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.
While the Axios claim that Iran targeted two commercial vessels has not yet been confirmed by independent sources, the developments in the Strait of Hormuz have once again turned the attention of the international community to the Middle East ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara.