The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors shipping security in the region, said the cargo vessel reported being fired upon and subsequently halted in the water.

No injuries or environmental damage were reported, and the ship sustained no apparent damage.The UKMTO did not identify who carried out the second attack. However, the incident followed an earlier episode in which Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was reported to have opened fire on a container ship, prompting immediate suspicion toward Tehran.

The incidents come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, days after U.S. forces seized an Iranian container vessel following an exchange of fire and boarded an oil tanker linked to Iran’s oil trade in the Indian Ocean.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global transit route for energy supplies, and any disruption to shipping there is closely monitored by governments and markets worldwide.

Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on the reported attacks.

Among the ships that passed through the waterway were five vessels that had last loaded cargoes from Iran, including oil products and metals, while three liquefied petroleum gas carriers were bound for destinations including China and India.A Panama-flagged tanker carrying LPG from the United Arab Emirates was headed to Indonesia, while two other tankers loaded with refined products from Bahrain were en route to Mozambique and Thailand, respectively, according to the data.

Shipping activity also included a Liberian-flagged tanker transporting around 500,000 barrels of UAE naphtha to Ulsan in South Korea, and a very large crude carrier hauling roughly 2 million barrels of Saudi oil toward Taiwan. Another vessel carrying about 780,000 barrels of Das crude from the UAE was bound for Sri Lanka.

Additional cargoes moving through the strait included fertiliser shipments from Qatar to the UAE and petroleum coke exports from Saudi Arabia to Italy.

The uptick in vessel movements comes after weeks of disruption linked to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Gulf, which had sharply curtailed tanker traffic through one of the world’s most vital energy transit routes.

Donald Trump said on Sunday that U.S. forces would start blockading maritime traffic to Iranian ports, escalating tensions after negotiations failed to produce an agreement to end the conflict, putting a fragile two-week ceasefire at risk.

US Central Command said the blockade would take effect at 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT) and would apply to all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports across the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It added that freedom of navigation through Hormuz to non-Iranian destinations would not be impeded.

Shipping data showed several vessels adjusting routes in response. The Malta-flagged very large crude carrier Agios Fanourios I reversed course after attempting to enter the Gulf and is now anchored near the Gulf of Oman.

Other tankers, including the Pakistan-flagged Shalamar and Khairpur, continued operations, heading toward the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait respectively to load cargo.

The Liberia-flagged VLCC Mombasa B also transited the strait earlier on Sunday and is currently ballasting in the Gulf, according to vessel tracking data.Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any military vessels approaching the strait would be considered a violation of the ceasefire and would face a “decisive” response.

Despite rising tensions, shipping data showed that three fully laden supertankers passed through the strait on Saturday, appearing to be among the first vessels to exit the Gulf since the ceasefire agreement was reached last week.

Speaking to UK broadcasters before departing Qatar, Starmer described NATO as a longstanding defensive alliance that has underpinned transatlantic security for decades, while acknowledging that European members must increase their financial contributions.

His remarks came in response to renewed criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to withdraw from the alliance following disagreements with NATO partners over participation in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.“It is in America’s interests. It’s in European interests,” Starmer said, emphasizing the alliance’s role in maintaining collective security.

The British leader’s visit included stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, where discussions centered on sustaining a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran and addressing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor for global energy supplies.

Starmer said he held a phone call with Trump late on Thursday, during which he conveyed regional concerns, particularly regarding the continued closure of the strait. Although the waterway was expected to reopen under the ceasefire agreement announced earlier this week, recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon and disputes over compliance have delayed progress.

He added that the United Kingdom is working to assemble a coalition of more than 30 countries to coordinate diplomatic and military efforts aimed at restoring safe navigation through the chokepoint.

In a separate interview, Starmer expressed frustration over the economic impact of geopolitical tensions, citing volatility in energy prices. He drew comparisons between the influence of Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on global markets, stating that fluctuations in energy costs were placing pressure on households and businesses.

The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of the world’s oil shipments, and prolonged disruption has raised concerns among governments and markets about supply stability and price volatility.

Iran has rejected a U.S. ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by a deadline set by former U.S. President Donald Trump, as military strikes intensified and diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan approached what officials described as a critical stage.

With hours remaining before the deadline, a senior Iranian source said Tehran would not reopen the strategic waterway without concessions from Washington that had not been offered. The Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor, has effectively been closed by Iran to most international shipping since late February following joint U.S.-Israeli military actions.

Trump warned that failure to comply would result in large-scale destruction of Iranian infrastructure, including power grids and bridges. In a social media post, he stated that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” framing the moment as a pivotal point in global history.

The remarks drew criticism from legal experts, including a former U.S. State Department adviser now with the International Crisis Group, who said the language could be interpreted as a threat violating international norms.

Military activity escalated across Iran throughout the day. Strikes were reported on transport infrastructure, including railway and highway bridges, as well as an airport and a petrochemical facility. U.S. forces also targeted installations on Kharg Island, which hosts Iran’s primary oil export terminal.

Power outages were reported in parts of Karaj following damage to transmission lines and a substation.Iran signalled a broadening of its response. Officials warned that Gulf states aligned with Washington could face retaliatory strikes on critical infrastructure.

A senior Iranian source said such actions could disrupt electricity and water supplies in desert cities dependent on energy systems.Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued a statement saying previous restraint had ended and that Tehran would seek to deprive the United States and its regional allies of oil and gas resources.

Iranian authorities also claimed responsibility for attacks on a vessel in the Gulf and on a major Saudi petrochemical facility in Jubail, where international energy companies operate.In parallel, reports emerged of an overnight strike on a synagogue in Tehran, which Iranian officials attributed to Israeli forces.

Footage aired by state media showed debris scattered across the site, including religious texts. Israel’s military did not immediately comment on the incident.Diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan continued amid the escalation.

Iranian officials said mediation attempts were “approaching a critical, sensitive stage,” with Islamabad relaying messages between the two sides. A proposal under discussion included a temporary ceasefire and partial reopening of the strait, with broader negotiations to follow.

However, Iranian sources said Tehran had rejected interim arrangements, insisting instead on a permanent cessation of hostilities, guarantees against future attacks and compensation for damage.Iran’s conditions, as outlined through official channels, also included maintaining control over the strait and introducing a mechanism to regulate transit, potentially involving fees.

Prior to the conflict, the waterway functioned as an open international route through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed.Despite the intensifying conflict, global markets showed limited reaction, reflecting uncertainty over whether the U.S. would carry out the threatened escalation.

Trump has previously issued similar warnings but later stepped back, citing unspecified progress in talks, claims that Iranian officials have denied.On the ground, residents expressed concern over the prospect of further escalation.

A resident in Isfahan said she hoped the latest threats would not materialise, reflecting broader public anxiety as military actions continued.Iran maintains that any negotiations must follow a halt to U.S. and Israeli strikes and include the lifting of sanctions.

Without such measures, officials indicated that Tehran would continue its current posture, including restrictions on maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

As the deadline approached, neither side signalled a willingness to compromise, raising the risk of further escalation in a conflict that has already disrupted regional stability and global energy flows.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said the withdrawal would proceed regardless of whether an agreement is reached with Tehran, adding that U.S. objectives in the conflict were nearing completion.

“We’re finishing the job, and I think within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer,” Trump said, indicating that the decision to leave would not hinge on negotiations.

“Whether we have a deal or not, it’s irrelevant.”The conflict, which began on Feb. 28, has disrupted global energy markets, with Iran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz to oil tanker traffic. Trump linked a potential easing of fuel price pressures to a U.S. withdrawal, suggesting that regional dynamics would shift once American forces exit.

He also urged other countries to secure their own energy supplies, signaling a reduced U.S. role in safeguarding maritime routes. “If France or some other country wants to get oil or gas, they’ll go up through the Hormuz Strait and fend for themselves,” Trump said.

In a social media post earlier in the day, Trump reiterated that position, telling countries facing shortages to “go get your own oil,” while asserting that Iran had been significantly weakened.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the coming days would be “decisive” in the conflict, without ruling out the possibility of ground operations. He added that the United States had undertaken extensive efforts to ensure navigational access through the Strait of Hormuz, though he emphasized that future responsibility would not rest solely with Washington.

Hegseth also confirmed an unannounced visit to U.S. forces operating under Central Command, declining to disclose locations for security reasons.Trump said U.S. forces would withdraw once Iran is deemed incapable of developing a nuclear weapon for a prolonged period, framing the campaign as aimed at degrading Tehran’s military and nuclear capabilities.

The remarks come amid strained coordination with allies, many of whom have declined U.S. requests for military support to reopen key shipping lanes.

The administration’s stance suggests a shift toward limiting direct U.S. involvement in securing global energy transit routes despite ongoing instability in the region.

The vessels, BW Tyr and BW Elm, are expected to arrive in Mumbai on March 31 and New Mangalore on April 1, respectively, according to a statement from the petroleum ministry.The transit comes as shipping through the strategic chokepoint has been severely curtailed by the conflict, with Iran allowing passage only to what it has described as “non-hostile vessels” that coordinate with its authorities.

The two tankers are among a small number of Indian-flagged vessels to successfully navigate the strait in recent days. Four LPG carriers have already completed the crossing, while three more remain in the western section of the waterway, according to ship tracking data.

A total of 18 Indian-flagged vessels with 485 Indian seafarers are still in the western Gulf region, the government said, underscoring continued exposure to maritime risks in the area.Energy dependence in focusIndia, the world’s second-largest importer of LPG, consumed 33.15 million tons of the fuel last year, with imports meeting roughly 60% of demand.

About 90% of these imports originate from the Middle East, making the Strait of Hormuz a critical artery for the country’s energy security.

Despite disruptions in maritime traffic, port operations across India remain normal with no congestion reported, the government added.

A fuel reservoir at Primorsk caught fire after a drone strike, Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the Leningrad region, said on Telegram. Separately, Ust-Luga operations were halted due to a drone alert in the surrounding area, the sources said.

Both ports, located in Russia’s northwestern Leningrad region, handle the bulk of the country’s seaborne crude oil and refined fuel exports from its western outlets, making them critical nodes in Russia’s energy supply chain.

The suspensions underscore growing vulnerabilities in Russia’s energy infrastructure as drone attacks increasingly target logistics and export facilities. While the extent of damage and the expected duration of the halt were not immediately clear, any prolonged disruption could tighten export availability from Baltic routes.

Transneft, Russia’s state-controlled oil pipeline monopoly that operates both Primorsk and Ust-Luga, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Primorsk and Ust-Luga serve as key gateways for Russian crude and petroleum products destined for international markets, particularly in Europe and beyond via maritime routes. Interruptions at these ports can affect shipping schedules, storage logistics and broader supply balances.

The incidents come amid heightened geopolitical tensions and a pattern of attacks on energy infrastructure, raising concerns over the resilience of supply networks and potential knock-on effects in global oil markets.