A cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by a drone on Friday, an incident that US President Donald Trump has attributed to Iran and condemned as a "foolish violation" of the existing ceasefire agreement.
According to reports from the South China Morning Post, US forces intercepted three of the drones, but a fourth managed to hit the ship's upper deck, causing damage.
The incident comes just days after Brent crude prices had plunged 20% in June, a decline driven by the resumption of shipping through the strait following a period of heightened risk.
The attack marks a sharp escalation in tensions at one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly a fifth of global oil consumption, and any disruption to transit can trigger immediate volatility in energy markets.
The incident comes just days after Brent crude prices had plunged 20% in June, a decline driven by the resumption of shipping through the strait following a period of heightened risk.
Markets are likely to reassess the risk premium embedded in energy and shipping assets.