Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired at least two missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, striking both ships and causing significant damage, according to a U.S. official cited by Axios. No casualties have been reported in connection with the attacks. The incidents represent a serious escalation in an already volatile maritime corridor.

The missile strikes come despite a Memorandum of Understanding signed June 17 between the United States and Iran, which committed both governments to ending hostilities within 60 days. Under that agreement, Iran pledged to restore merchant shipping through the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman to pre-war volumes within 30 days, while the U.S. agreed to lift its naval blockade against Iran within the same timeframe. The attacks appear to directly contradict Iran's obligations under the MoU.

The broader conflict between the two nations escalated sharply following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on multiple Iranian sites on February 28. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of all globally traded oil passes, triggered significant turmoil in international markets and prompted urgent diplomatic efforts to restore stability to the critical waterway.

The fresh missile strikes threaten to derail ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a longer-term peace agreement between Washington and Tehran. Those talks were also intended to address Iran's nuclear program, with Iran having agreed to relinquish enriched uranium reserves capable of being used in weapons development. It remains unclear who ordered the attacks or whether they represent official Iranian government policy, and neither Tehran nor Washington had publicly commented on the incidents at the time of reporting.