US and Iran Launch Direct Attacks in Strait of Hormuz as Oil Prices Surge Past $100

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has escalated significantly, with reports of direct attacks by both Iran and the United States. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a re-closure of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, issuing a severe warning that any ship entering the zone will be targeted. This decision follows a temporary opening of the strait. Iran reportedly attacked several ships near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, with two Iranian fighter jets firing at an oil tanker. Meanwhile, the US military has reportedly attacked an Iranian-flagged vessel, which Iran claims violates a ceasefire. Amidst these developments, global crude oil prices have surged again.

US President Donald Trump has suggested that talks aimed at ending the conflict in Iran could resume this week, hinting at Islamabad as a potential location. The US military has claimed that no ships successfully passed through its enforced blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas during the first 24 hours of the operation, despite earlier reports of successful passages. Meanwhile, the US Navy has turned back another Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz, with the operation conducted by the USS Spruance (DDG-111). This brings the total number of Iran-departing vessels interdicted by the US to approximately 10. The US naval blockade has now been actively enforced for three days.

The US Navy has actively enforced its blockade, turning back at least two more oil tankers originating from Chabahar, Iran, via radio communication. This brings the total number of Iran-departing vessels interdicted by the US to approximately six. However, despite these efforts, naval data indicates that several ships, including at least four Iran-linked vessels and over 20 commercial ships in the last 24 hours, have successfully traversed the Strait of Hormuz. Notable passages include the Liberian-flagged 'Christianna', which unloaded corn at Bandar Imam Khomeini after April 13th, and the Comoros-flagged tanker 'Elpis'. Following reports of US interdictions, global crude oil prices have again surged past $100 a barrel. The US naval blockade has been actively enforced for two days.