An Iranian commercial vessel was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz early on Sunday, September 13, 2026. According to Iranian state media citing the governor of Qeshm County, one crew member was killed and three others were wounded in the attack. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed receiving reports of a projectile hitting a vessel in the waterway, though the agency stated the full extent of damage was not immediately known.
The incident occurred as the U.S. and Israel remain in a conflict with Iran that has disrupted maritime activity in the region. The U.S. military, which has previously struck Iranian vessels to enforce its blockade of the country's ports, did not issue an immediate statement regarding Sunday’s event. The attack follows the temporary closure of Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline on Thursday after a drone strike that Riyadh and Baghdad attributed to origins in Iraq.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking from Ireland, stated that Iran was "probably" responsible for the pipeline attack. Trump also reported having "discussions" with Houthi rebels in Yemen, claiming they expressed a desire to avoid fighting with the U.S. However, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly requested U.S. military strikes against the Houthis, a request the Trump administration declined, according to sources cited by Reuters.
In Yemen, the Houthi advance along the Red Sea coast toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has displaced thousands of civilians. UN special envoy Hans Grundberg warned that the renewed offensive could return the country to a state of civil war, which previously resulted in 150,000 deaths. Shipping remains restricted in the Strait of Hormuz, with the U.S. military reporting it had redirected 100 commercial vessels over the past 60 days.
Foreign ministers from Gulf countries are scheduled to meet in Oman on Monday, September 14, 2026, to discuss shipping management and a potential agreement between Tehran and Oman. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the waterway would only reopen if the U.S. terminates its blockade. However, a senior Iranian official expressed skepticism regarding a breakthrough, noting that the meeting is not expected to yield a signed agreement. Bahrain has stated it will not attend the meeting until diplomatic relations with Iran are restored.