India, July 7 -- Iran's military launched at least two missiles at commercial shipping vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, resuming hostilities in the strategic maritime waterway, escalating the skirmishes, at least two US officials confirmed. The conflagration has abruptly shattered a temporary week-long lull and reignited a highly volatile maritime conflict in the world's most critical energy corridor.

The targeted strikes occurred almost immediately after the expiration of a hard-fought, short-term agreement between the United States and Iran that had paused active hostilities to allow technical diplomats to convene in Doha, Qatar.

The sudden resumption of missile fire by Iranian forces directly signals the collapse of that oper...