Vessel Struck in Strait of Hormuz as U.S.-Iran Talks Remain Elusive

A vessel was hit by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre, triggering a fire and a crew evacuation. Local authorities responded at the scene as maritime tensions in the key shipping lane continued to rise. The incident came as prospects for direct talks between the United States and Iran remained weak. Iranian officials said negotiations would not resume unless their conditions were met, while Iran also signaled plans to meet with Gulf countries in Oman to discuss a new shipping route. The Strait of Hormuz has seen repeated disruptions in recent weeks, with attacks and naval restrictions slowing traffic through one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate have both risen sharply amid the unrest, reflecting concerns about supply flows.