Why this mattersSo why does one unattributed strike matter so much?
Because of where it happened. The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow gap between Iran and Oman that about a fifth of the world's oil and gas sails through.
And it's been the front line of a war since 28 February this year, when the US and Israel went to war with Iran.
Here's Iran's position. It says ships need its permission to pass. And it keeps hitting the ones it says don't have it. America's answer has been its own naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Now count the hits. This is the third attack on shipping in this strait in just a few days.
Three days ago, Iran's Revolutionary Guard navy said three tankers caught fire after hitting mines on what it called an unauthorised route south. Iran's army said a separate tanker caught fire east of the strait that same day. And maritime security sources told Reuters a Panama-flagged tanker, the Louise 1, was hit by limpet mines near Khasab in Oman — reportedly the first time that kind of device has worked in this war.
Then two days ago, a Qatari LNG carrier, the Al-Mayeda, got hit by unidentified objects on its way into the strait. All 25 crew, including six Indian nationals, are safe.
And here's the twist. Bloomberg reported Iran had actually cleared the Al-Mayeda to pass, through Pakistani channels, just hours before it was hit. So whoever struck it is still unknown. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry condemned the attack and said it stands with Qatar.
Zoom out and October was the worst month of this war for shipping. At least 29 vessels were hit. More than 120 ships have now been hit since the war started.
Qatar has been mediating between Washington and Tehran, and its officials met Iranian negotiators in Doha today for the third day running, working on a plan to reopen the strait. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, said today there's still no agreement, and any deal depends on the US answering Iran's questions.
There's tension above the talks too. Donald Trump spoke by phone with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, a day ago about restarting the war. Benjamin Netanyahu pushed Donald Trump to strike Iran the moment the US midterm elections finish on Tuesday. Donald Trump said he wants to let the negotiations play out, and that he's not in a hurry. He also said America still has to deal with one or two nuclear targets in Iran, and named one as Pickaxe Mountain.
Iran hasn't said it carried out today's strike. No US or Arab government has said who did. Nobody knows what kind of projectile hit the ship, which ship it was, or whether the crew made it out safe.
One thing is clear. The strait keeps getting hit, and the people trying to reopen it keep talking.
