Iran claims strikes on 10 vessels including Gibraltar-flagged tanker Hercules Star in Hormuz campaign

Iran claimed its largest wave of shipping attacks since the war began, targeting 10 vessels including two U.S. military ships and eight oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz and Kharg Island. The Gibraltar-flagged tanker Hercules Star was struck, killing at least one seafarer and leaving several vessels on fire. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would keep destroying Iranian tankers in response to attacks on Navy ships.

Why this matters. An expanding Iranian campaign against commercial shipping beyond military targets raises insurance costs and could push more shippers to avoid Hormuz entirely, tightening global crude supply further.