Attacks on two tankers reported in the Strait of Hormuz — CBS News
In the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre reported that two tankers had been struck by unknown projectiles. One of the tankers was hit on Friday: a fire broke out on board and was later extinguished. The crew was unharmed, and the environmental impact of the incident has not yet been confirmed, CBS News reports, citing UKMTO.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told the semi-official Mehr and Tasnim agencies that it had attacked a vessel flying the flag of Togo which, it claimed, was making an “illegal transit” through the strait. It is unknown whether this statement is connected to the incident reported by UKMTO.
Reports of other incidents
UKMTO also said it had received information that another tanker was struck on September 16. According to the centre, the vessel was attacked by an unknown projectile as it was leaving the Strait of Hormuz.
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Separately, late on September 17, UKMTO reported an attack on a vessel northeast of Khasab, Oman. The crew was reportedly safe, but the centre was unable to establish the exact time and date of this incident. Iran is calling on commercial vessels to obtain permission in advance and use a government-approved route to pass through the strait.
Trump’s statement and UN veto
US President Donald Trump told Axios that he has to make a “big decision” on whether to launch a large-scale strike to “destroy” the Iranian regime. His meeting with leaders of Persian Gulf countries is expected next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Meanwhile, Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution to extend for one year the mandate of a panel of experts monitoring the implementation of sanctions against Iran. Eleven Security Council members voted for the draft, while Somalia and Pakistan abstained. UN sanctions, reinstated in September 2025 through the snapback mechanism, remain in force.
