India, July 7 -- Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly fired missiles at two commercial ships transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz, damaging both vessels and prompting the United States to assess possible retaliatory military action.

According to US officials cited by multiple international media reports, at least two missiles were launched at merchant vessels on Monday night. While the ships sustained significant damage, no casualties or environmental impact were reported. One of the affected vessels is believed to be the Qatari LNG tanker Al Rekayyat, which reportedly suffered an engine room fire after being struck near the coast of Oman.

The UK Maritime Trad...