Three Ships Struck in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran Escalates Maritime Attacks
The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran reached a dangerous new flashpoint on Wednesday as three commercial vessels were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes daily.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations center, run by the British military, confirmed that the attacks occurred just north of Oman in the strait. One vessel — identified by the Thai navy as the bulk carrier Mayuree Naree — caught fire after being hit, forcing the crew to evacuate. Two additional ships sustained damage in separate incidents, including one struck off Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates.
Iran’s military issued a chilling warning on Wednesday: any ship belonging to the United States, Israel, or their allies transiting the strait would be considered a “legitimate target.” Iran’s central operational command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, declared through state television that “not a litre of oil” would be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps doubled down on the threat, with senior commanders warning of $200-per-barrel oil prices if the waterway remains choked — a scenario that would send shockwaves through every economy on the planet.
32 Nations Agree to Largest Emergency Oil Release in History
In a dramatic response to the escalating energy crisis, all 32 member nations of the International Energy Agency unanimously agreed to release approximately 400 million barrels of emergency crude oil from government stockpiles — the largest coordinated reserve release in the IEA’s 50-year history.
The release represents roughly one-third of the group’s total government reserves and more than doubles the previous record release. The move is designed to calm global oil markets, which have been in turmoil since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28.
Despite the announcement, oil prices continued to rise on Wednesday, reflecting deep market anxiety that even 400 million barrels may not be enough to offset the loss of Strait of Hormuz traffic. The UN has warned that ship traffic through the strait has dropped a staggering 97 percent since the conflict began, raising fears of a “global trade collapse” in energy-dependent economies.
The Washington Post reported that oil tankers and cargo ships were lined up off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE on Wednesday, unable to transit the strait safely.
Day 12: Operation Epic Fury by the Numbers
As Operation Epic Fury enters its twelfth day, the scale of the US-Israeli military campaign continues to expand at a breathtaking pace.
Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), provided an updated assessment on Wednesday:
- 5,500+ targets struck inside Iran by US forces alone
- 28 Iranian mine-laying vessels destroyed near the Strait of Hormuz (up from 16 reported on Tuesday)
- Iran’s ballistic missile attacks down more than 90% from the start of the operation
- Iranian drone attacks down approximately 85%
- 140 US service members wounded, eight severely, with seven confirmed killed
Cooper said US forces “continue delivering devastating combat power against the Iranian regime” and that Iran’s combat capability “is declining.”
President Trump, speaking in Kentucky on Wednesday, claimed the US had hit “28 mine ships as of this moment” and reiterated his demand for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” before any ceasefire would be considered.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the hardline stance: “This operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives and decide the outcome of the campaign.” He added that the Iranian leadership was fleeing “like mice into tunnels.”
Iran Mines the Strait as US Scrambles to Clear Waterway
Adding another layer of danger, Reuters reported that Iran has deployed approximately a dozen naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Sources familiar with the situation told the wire service that the locations of most mines are known, but declined to say how the US planned to neutralize them.
The mines represent a significant escalation in Iran’s strategy to disrupt global energy supplies. Even after the military conflict ends, mine-clearing operations in the strait could take weeks or months, prolonging the disruption to oil shipments.
US forces have responded aggressively, destroying 28 Iranian mine-laying vessels in the past 48 hours. But the cat-and-mouse game in one of the world’s most strategically vital waterways shows no signs of ending.
The Wider War: Lebanon, Qatar, and Ukraine’s Surprise Involvement
The conflict continues to draw in more nations and expand across the region.
Lebanon: Israel launched a “large-scale wave of strikes” on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday night after Hezbollah fired “dozens” of rockets into Israeli territory. The IDF said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in the Dahieh suburb. Earlier strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least seven people in the Nabatieh and Tyre districts.
Qatar: In a startling development, Qatar’s Ministry of Defense announced its armed forces intercepted a missile attack targeting the Gulf state on Wednesday — highlighting how the war is threatening even countries that have tried to maintain neutrality.
Ukraine: In a surprising twist, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Kyiv has dispatched interceptor drones and drone specialists to help protect US military bases in Jordan at Washington’s request. “We reacted immediately,” Zelenskyy told the New York Times. “I said, yes, of course, we will send our experts.”
Iran’s New Supreme Leader Injured: Tehran’s ambassador to Cyprus confirmed that Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei (son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the February 28 strike), was himself injured in the attack that killed six of his family members. He was described as “lucky to survive.”
Civilian Toll Mounts on Both Sides
The human cost of the conflict continues to climb. Iran’s UN ambassador told the international body that nearly 10,000 civilian sites have been struck, including approximately 8,000 residential homes, with the death toll surpassing 1,300 people.
In one of the war’s most devastating incidents, a strike on a primary school in Minab, Iran, killed at least 175 people — mostly children. The New York Times reported that outdated targeting data caused a US missile to hit the school complex, which had previously been part of a nearby Iranian military base.
On the coalition side, six US service members were killed in an Iranian drone attack on a tactical operations center in Kuwait. The Pentagon confirmed a total of seven US deaths and 140 wounded since operations began.
Iranian and Hezbollah forces have launched coordinated cluster munition strikes on Israeli population centers, with more than 12 people killed in Israel since the conflict began.
What Comes Next?
As the war enters its second full week, several critical questions loom:
Can the Strait of Hormuz be reopened? With Iranian mines in the water and Tehran vowing to attack any allied vessel, the world’s most important oil chokepoint remains effectively closed. The 400-million-barrel reserve release buys time — but not a solution.
Will Iran’s military capability collapse? CENTCOM’s numbers suggest Iran’s offensive power is degrading rapidly — missile launches down 90%, drone attacks down 85%. But Iran still has the ability to cause significant damage through asymmetric tactics, proxy forces, and the Hormuz blockade.
Is a diplomatic off-ramp possible? Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender” and Israel’s pledge to continue “without any time limit” leave little room for negotiation. Iran’s new supreme leader, injured and newly appointed, faces an impossible choice between capitulation and continued devastation.
The world watches as Day 12 unfolds — with oil markets, shipping lanes, and millions of lives hanging in the balance.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.