A bulk carrier reported an attack by multiple small craft near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday as President Donald Trump weighs Iran’s latest proposal to end the war.
The incident occurred 11 nautical miles west of Sirik, Iran, at 11:30 UTC, according to a warning from United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. The report came from the ship’s master.
“The Master of a northbound bulk carrier has reported being attacked by multiple small craft,” UKMTO said. “All crew reported safe and no environmental impact reported.”
UKMTO advised vessels to transit with caution and report suspicious activity while authorities investigate. The warning did not identify the vessel or attribute responsibility for the attack.
No group immediately claimed responsibility, AP reported. The incident marked at least the 24th reported attack in and around the Strait of Hormuz since the war involving Iran began and the first reported attack in the area since April 22.
Suspicious Activity Near UAE
UKMTO issued a separate advisory Sunday after several ship masters near Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, reported radio broadcasts directing them to move from their anchorages.
Authorities continued to investigate the suspicious activity and requested vessels report any further incidents, according to the advisory.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important shipping chokepoints. The waterway typically carries about one-fifth of global oil and natural gas trade, along with other commercial shipments moving into and out of the Persian Gulf, AP reported.
Iranian officials have claimed control over the strait and said ships not affiliated with the United States or Israel may pass if they pay a toll. The United States has warned shipping companies that they could face sanctions if they pay Iran to transit the waterway, AP reported.
Trump Keeps Blockade Pressure On Iran
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Trump announced an indefinite extension of the U.S. ceasefire with Iran on April 22, hours before the previous two-week deadline expired.
That extension came as AP reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported at the time that the Guard seized two of the ships and brought them to Iran.
The U.S. blockade remains central to Trump’s pressure campaign. U.S. Central Command said Sunday that 49 commercial vessels had been redirected to comply with blockade operations against Iran, Fox News reported.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iran’s oil storage is rapidly filling and Tehran may need to begin shutting in wells within the next week. Bessent also said Iran has received less than $1.3 million in tolls, Fox News reported.
Peace Proposal Faces Skepticism
The attack came as Trump reviewed Iran’s latest peace proposal.
Fox News reported Sunday that Trump remains skeptical of Iran’s 14-point proposal as Pakistan continues to facilitate talks between Washington and Tehran. AP reported that Iran’s proposal calls for the United States to lift sanctions, end the naval blockade, withdraw forces from the region, and cease hostilities, including Israel’s operations in Lebanon.
Trump has also pushed back on European criticism of his Iran strategy. Breitbart reported that Trump urged German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to focus on Germany’s immigration and energy problems instead of “interfering” with U.S. action against Iran. Trump shared the article on Truth Social on Sunday morning.
Iranian Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad said Tehran “will not back down from our position on the Strait of Hormuz, and it will not return to its prewar conditions,” AP reported.
The latest attack keeps the Strait of Hormuz at the center of the conflict as Trump presses Iran economically and Tehran resists returning the shipping route to its prewar status.
