Iran fires missiles at commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz, Axios reports

Iran fires missiles at commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz, Axios reports

Iran's Revolutionary Guards fired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, July 6, 2026, according to an Axios report citing two U.S. Officials. The attacks left two commercial vessels with significant damage, though no casualties were reported.

Concurrent with these reports, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency announced early Tuesday, July 7, 2026, that a tanker was struck on its port side by an unknown projectile. The vessel was traveling southbound approximately 8 nautical miles (15 km) east of Limah, Oman, and the strike ignited a fire. The UKMTO stated there were no reports of environmental impact or casualties.

While Iranian state television claims a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker was attacked off the coast of Oman after ignoring warnings, Reuters reported it could not immediately verify the Axios report or confirm if the tanker cited by the UKMTO was among the ships described by U.S. Officials.

The Wall Street Journal identified one of the vessels under attack as the Al Rekayyat, an LNG tanker owned and managed by Nakilat, also known as Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd. The vessel was located at the mouth of the strait in the Gulf of Oman when it was hit on the port side at the top of the engine room. A recording obtained by the WSJ described an engine room full of smoke and fire, noting that the crew were safe and mustered on the starboard side.

These strikes follow a weekend of threats from Iran's Revolutionary Guards. According to a recording quoted by the Wall Street Journal on Monday, the guards warned ships via maritime radio: our missiles and drones are ready to fire at you.

The escalation comes at a moment of extreme political tension. President Donald Trump stated on Monday that the U.S. Would either reach a deal with Iran or finish the job, renewing threats of military action. This follows the collapse of indirect U.S.-Iran talks last week, which ended without public signs of progress toward lasting peace. The talks had been conducted under a 60-day ceasefire meant to provide diplomatic space after U.S. And Israeli strikes triggered the current conflict.

The maritime attacks coincide with state funeral ceremonies for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. On Monday, July 6, 2026, throngs of mourners filled the streets of Tehran for a procession to Azadi Square. The procession included a truck carrying the bodies of Khamenei and four family members who were killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike on February 28. State television reported the body of the leader arrived in the holy city of Qom on Monday evening via helicopter.

Beyond the Strait of Hormuz, other regional violence continues. Lebanon's state news agency reported that an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on Monday killed four people, an attack Lebanese security sources described as the deadliest in several weeks.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global chokepoint, as approximately a fifth of global oil consumption passes through the narrow waterway between Oman and Iran. Despite an interim agreement that included safe-passage provisions, commercial vessels continue to be targeted.

U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nakilat, QatarEnergy, and Qatar's International Media Office also did not immediately respond to inquiries.

Further funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are scheduled to take place in Qom on Tuesday, July 7, and in the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.