Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz surged again over the weekend, despite a brief reopening on Friday that had raised cautious hopes for easing the ongoing shipping crisis in the Persian Gulf.
That reopening proved short-lived. Only a small number of vessels—estimated between eight and twelve—managed to pass through before conditions deteriorated once more, effectively shutting the route again and leaving international shipping in limbo.
On Saturday, the container ship CMA CGM Everglade was fired upon while attempting to transit the strait. Reports indicate that Iranian gunboats issued warning shots, damaging some containers onboard. The carrier later confirmed that the ship itself remained intact and the crew was unharmed. Several ships from the same fleet had tried to move through during the temporary reopening, but none successfully completed the journey.
In a separate incident, US naval forces intercepted the Iranian-flagged MV Touska in the Arabian Sea as it headed toward Bandar Abbas. After warnings to clear the engine room were ignored, the navy fired on the vessel before boarding and taking control of it.
Together, these events underscore how unstable the situation has become in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors. With safe passage no longer assured, shipping operators face mounting risks, and the disruption threatens to ripple across global trade while further escalating regional tensions.