Iranian Ship Hit Near Strait of Hormuz, Killing One

An Iranian commercial vessel was struck early Sunday off Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz, killing one person and injuring three others, according to Iranian state media and local authorities. The incident occurred around 5 a.m. local time off the coasts of Hengam and Qeshm islands, Qeshm city governor Amir Teymouri said. He did not specify the origin of the strike or identify those responsible. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations separately reported that a vessel was hit by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, but provided no further details on the ship or its flag. There was no immediate statement from the U.S. military. The deadly strike comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States over control of the strategic waterway, a key route for global oil and gas shipments. The incident occurred a day before a scheduled meeting between Iran and Gulf states in Oman to discuss the blockaded waterway. Iran has restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz during its conflict with the U.S. and Israel, requiring vessels to obtain authorization to transit. Tehran has cited security and sovereignty concerns for the restrictions.