President Trump has ordered the U.S. Navy to shoot down Iranian vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, asserting Washington's control over the area.
The IRGC announced it intercepted and ordered two commercial vessels to divert into Iranian territorial waters, alleging "illegal activities" in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iraqi captain Rahman al-Jubouri likens his oil tanker to a "fireball" while traversing the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz, a region where the US-Israel-Iran conflict disrupts global trade and endangers seafarers.
Tehran accuses the US of violating a ceasefire agreement by attacking an Iranian cargo ship and states it has not decided whether to continue negotiations with Washington.
New Delhi summoned Iran's ambassador to protest the shooting of two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz, following Tehran's reimposition of shipping lane restrictions.
President Trump stated that Iran must not "blackmail" the US by constantly changing its stance on the Strait of Hormuz, but added that the two sides are engaged in dialogue.
The prime minister of the United Kingdom and the president of France will chair a meeting with leaders from around 40 countries to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump warned that the United States military would destroy any Iranian fast-attack craft approaching the blockade zone in the Strait of Hormuz.
By ordering a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Donald Trump appears to accept the risk of driving up global oil prices to maximize leverage and compel concessions from Iran, according to experts.
