US‑Iran Hormuz Strait Deal Threatened by Iranian Drone Attack on Tanker

The United States and Iran signed a 60‑day memorandum intended to halt hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz for oil shipments, with the U.S. agreeing to lift certain sanctions on Iranian vessels.

Hours later an Iranian‑operated drone struck the tanker Ever Lovely in the Strait of Hormuz, injuring crew members and briefly disrupting traffic. Brent crude prices jumped more than two percent before easing back as the ship remained afloat and traffic resumed at reduced speed. The incident raised questions about the durability of the agreement and prompted insurers to warn of sharply higher premiums for vessels using the southern route.

U.S. officials, including President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasized that Iran must not impose transit fees or tariffs on international shipping, while the attack underscored the fragile security environment in the region despite diplomatic overtures.