Chaos erupted in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired at ships trying to pass through the strategic waterway. A cruise liner just three nautical miles off Oman reported a “splash in close proximity,” raising fears that passengers were caught in the deadly crossfire. At least two Indian merchant vessels have been hit by gunfire in the tense standoff, shipping sources told Reuters. The narrow strait, a vital artery for global oil, saw tankers turn back in panic, stoking fears of a wider conflict.
Trump Threatens Bombing as Ceasefire Hangs by a Thread
With Iran tightening its blockade, US President Donald Trump warned he may “start dropping bombs again” if the fragile ceasefire falls apart. The White House insists the US naval blockade of Iranian ports will stay firmly in place until a bigger deal is reached.
“Maybe I won’t extend the ceasefire, but the blockade is going to remain,” Trump declared to reporters aboard Air Force One.
Despite peace talks in Islamabad, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, promised “new bitter defeats” for the West. Tehran demands explicit approval for passage through the Strait, rejecting Washington’s label of their ports being blockaded.
Tanker Panic as Strait Reopens Then Shuts Again
Earlier on Friday, the Strait briefly reopened when eight oil tankers convoyed through, giving markets a glimmer of hope and pushing oil prices down. But Iran quickly slammed the gates shut again, sending fresh shockwaves through global trade. A leaked 31-second audio clip captures the terror onboard a tanker under fire: “You gave me clearance to go! You are firing now! Let me turn back!” Malta-flagged passenger ship Celestyal Discovery, travelling crew-only from Dubai to Oman, made it through safely before the latest shutdown.
Global Stakes Skyrocket as Naval Face-Off Intensifies
- The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments.
- US forces have forced 23 ships to turn back since the blockade began.
- Britain and France lead plans for a naval taskforce to secure the strait, but Trump slammed it as “a paper tiger.”
- Peace talks remain fragile, bogged down by disputes over Iran’s uranium stockpile and port closures.
With Washington and Tehran entrenched, the Strait of Hormuz teeters on the brink of conflict — threatening global energy supplies and international security.
