Iran’s military accused the United States on May 5 of attacking two passenger vessels in the Strait of Hormuz the previous day, killing 5 civilians. Tehran said the US claimed to be targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels, but the actual targets were civilian passenger boats.

If verified, this would mark the first direct maritime military incident involving civilian casualties in the US-Iran conflict, potentially further inflaming already extreme tensions between the two countries.

US Has Not Responded

As of publication, the US Department of Defense had not issued an official response to Iran’s allegations. A White House spokesperson, when asked about the claims during a regular briefing, said the administration was ‘verifying the information’ but declined to provide further details.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil transit corridors, with roughly one-fifth of global petroleum trade passing through its waters. Since the US-Iran conflict escalated, shipping security in the strait has become a focal point for international markets.

Oil Price Volatility

Oil prices experienced sharp swings on May 5 as strait security concerns worsened. Both Brent and WTI crude surged intraday before pulling back. CNBC analysis noted that investors oscillated between ‘supply disruption fears’ and ‘ceasefire expectations,’ driving heightened volatility.

Humanitarian Concerns

The UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson expressed ‘deep concern’ over reports of civilian casualties and called on all parties to comply with international humanitarian law and protect civilian vessels and maritime traffic lanes. The International Maritime Organization also issued an advisory urging commercial ships navigating the Hormuz Strait to maintain heightened vigilance.

The incident occurred on day 67 of the conflict. The UAE also reported intercepting missiles suspected to be from Iran. The continuing escalation leaves ever-narrowing room for diplomatic mediation.

Sources: Al Jazeera, CNBC