Iran Strikes Togo Tanker Amid Escalating Strait of Hormuz Conflict

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) struck and detained the Trend, a Togo-flagged oil tanker, in the Strait of Hormuz on September 17, 2026. Iranian state media and IRGC Navy officials claimed the vessel attempted an illegal passage after being deceived and provoked by the United States military. The strike, which involved a drone, caused a fire on board. Simultaneously, the Panama-flagged MT Basrah Energy was hit by a projectile in its funnel area; it suffered no significant damage and arrived safely at Fujairah anchorage.

These attacks occur during the seventh month of a conflict involving the United States and Israel. Iran has imposed an effective blockade of the strait and previously barred safe passage for vessels affiliated with the U.S. and Israel. The maritime instability has driven shipping costs to a record $1.035 million per day. While some LNG shipments from Qatar continue to transit the waterway using signal-jamming tactics, many operators are now using ship-to-ship transfers off the coast of Oman to avoid the zone.

In response to the escalating tension, President Donald Trump stated he is nearing a decision on whether to annihilate Iranian adversaries, noting that anything could happen. Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced he is considering expanding naval operations in the Gulf of Aden to protect shipping routes, though he explicitly refused to deploy troops to intervene directly in the U.S.-Iran war.