Tanker struck in Hormuz, raising worries over escalation, as Trump vows to hit Iran 'hard'

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Aug. 31, 2026. Stringer | ReutersA tanker was struck by three unknown projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, stoking worries that the Middle East conflict could once again escalate. The tanker was sailing in the southern shipping lane close to the Omani coast, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said in a post on Tuesday, Asia time. No casualties were reported. Iran launched an attack on two American bases in Jordan on Monday in retaliation for the U.S. attack on its Larak Island. American forces targeted two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, reportedly killing three, saying that Tehran intended to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Hormuz Strait. The small island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, has been a critical military and shipping control point for Iranian forces, helping them keep a firm grip on vessel traffic through one of the world's most critical maritime routes.The back-and-forth hostilities marked the first time that the U.S. and Iran traded strikes in over a month. While neither side appeared to be seeking a return to full-scale war, both signaled they...