Ship attacked during Strait of Hormuz transit and other news from the Middle East

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that the U.S. has no planned discussions with Iran, but affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and operational despite reduced traffic and a reported attack on a ship. The incident occurred as Oman and Iran reportedly approached an agreement to reopen the strait, to which Trump responded by asserting that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports persists and that all marine traffic is free.

Earlier, Trump threatened to bomb Oman as the country sought a deal with Iran to manage shipping traffic through the strait. Iran, in turn, insists on meeting the U.S.'s conditions before reopening the waterway. Meanwhile, a projectile struck a ship in the strait, causing a crew casualty, though no environmental damage has been reported.

Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on a Saudi oil refinery operated by Saudi Aramco, escalating tensions in the region. The 60-day negotiation period between the U.S. and Iran concluded without a resolution, and ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz decreased by 19.5% last week, with only 95 transits recorded.