ByDANYA SAPERSTEIN, REUTERS
Updated:

Iran fired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported late Monday night, citing a US official. 

According to the report, both ships were damaged significantly, but there were no casualties.

Shortly before the report, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) stated that a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile while traveling about eight nautical miles (14.8 km) east of Oman's Limah, causing a fire.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned ships in recent days to remain on Iranian-designated routes rather than the US-designated route near the coast of Oman. 

"Our missiles and drones are ready to fire at you," the IRGC told ships over the weekend, the Wall Street Journal reported. 

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026.
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)

Saudi, Qatari tankers damaged while crossing the Strait

The ships were a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker damaged near the coast of Oman and a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker, Al Rekayyat, which was struck in the same area, according to maritime security sources.

The cause of the blast was unknown, and the crude tanker that hit was believed to be the Wedyan supertanker, the sources said.

The Wedyan's last position was in the Gulf on July 3, according to ship-tracking data on the MarineTraffic platform. Saudi officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

The crew of the Qatari tanker was being evacuated after the hit, three sources said later on Tuesday.

The Al Rekayyat was loaded with LNG and sent out distress signals seeking assistance after it was hit on its port side, another source said earlier on Tuesday.

The vessel’s condition was not known at this stage, the three sources said.

Early on Tuesday, a crew member on a ship near Al Rekayyat heard a message from the ship stating that it had been hit on the port side, at the top of the engine room, according to a recording shared with the WSJ.

"Engine room fire and full of smoke. Unable to assess further damage. All crew are safe and mustered on the starboard side," the WSJ cited the recording as saying.