Tanker Disabled in Strait of Hormuz as Pakistan Steps Up Mediation

An oil tanker was struck by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman on Monday night, leaving the vessel disabled in the Strait of Hormuz. The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization reported that the projectile hit the ship's engine, but all crew members are safe. No environmental impact has been reported, though concerns about oil spills from damaged vessels continue to grow.

The attack underscores the persistent hazards for commercial shipping in a waterway that carries roughly a fifth of the world's traded oil. Since the U.S. and Israel launched their campaign against Iran on Feb. 28, Tehran has asserted control over traffic through the strait, periodically firing on vessels. No group has claimed responsibility for Monday's strike. The U.S. has also imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and has opened fire on ships.

Meanwhile, a high-level Pakistani delegation, led by army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, departed Tehran on Tuesday after talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials. The discussions focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and reviving stalled negotiations to end the Iran-U.S. conflict. Pakistan has positioned itself as a key mediator, maintaining contact with both Washington and Tehran.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who accompanied Munir, described the meetings as "very positive and productive," adding that "significant progress was made" and expressing hope that the momentum would lead to lasting peace. Iran and Oman are also finalizing their own proposal for managing the waterway, though it remains unclear whether it would be acceptable to the U.S. Oman's foreign minister was scheduled to meet with Iranian authorities on Tuesday.

Separately, Tuesday marked one year since Israeli soldiers killed 22 Palestinians, including journalists and rescue workers, in a double strike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza. No one has been held accountable. Israeli officials said the target was a suspected Hamas camera on the hospital's roof. Among the dead were visual journalist Hussam al-Masri and Mariam Dagga. Rights groups say Israel rarely prosecutes troops for killing Palestinians.

In a related development, China's Foreign Ministry said it is closely monitoring U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's plans to expand sanctions on Iran-linked entities, including some based in China. Spokesperson Lin Jian said China-Iran cooperation "should not be disrupted or undermined," calling unilateral sanctions "lack a basis in international law." The Treasury announced sanctions on nearly 60 Iran-linked entities on Monday, though Bessent stopped short of imposing secondary sanctions on countries that trade with Iran, saying they should have an opportunity to shift away first.