Ship runs aground in Strait of Hormuz as Iran asserts control over shipping lanes

A foreign container ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz after entering waters outside a route approved by Iran, Iranian state television reported on Wednesday, in a move that appeared to reinforce Tehran’s claims over control of the strategic waterway.

The report did not identify the vessel or provide further details but said the ship became stranded after entering shallow waters along its chosen route.

The incident came as Iran continues to assert authority over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy corridor through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments passed before the conflict.

Since the United States and Israel launched military action against Iran on February 28, Tehran has used its ability to disrupt traffic through the strait as leverage, creating uncertainty in global energy markets and supply chains.

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The report emerged as US West Asia envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, arrived in Doha for negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent agreement to end the conflict. Iran’s chief negotiator Kazem Gharibabadi also traveled to Qatar with a delegation.

Technical discussions between diplomats began on Wednesday, according to two regional officials familiar with the talks. The negotiations are focused on resolving outstanding issues before leaders consider a final agreement, though disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon remain major obstacles.

Dispute over shipping control complicates talks

Control of the Strait of Hormuz has become one of the biggest challenges in negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Under an interim agreement, Iran and the United States agreed that ships could continue passing through the waterway without paying fees for 60 days. However, Tehran has insisted that it should determine shipping routes and eventually collect charges from vessels using the passage, a demand opposed by Washington and several Gulf Arab states.

Efforts by Oman and a United Nations agency to establish an alternative shipping route near Oman’s coast triggered attacks across the region last weekend, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue.

Iranian state media said the stranded vessel had failed to follow designated routes and warned that ships must comply with instructions issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Revolutionary Guard’s naval forces have repeatedly warned that vessels using routes outside what Tehran calls the “Route of Authority” in the Persian Gulf could face serious consequences.

The report did not refer to recent attacks on two ships that Iran targeted after they attempted to leave the strait without Tehran’s approval, including an oil tanker carrying crude from Qatar.

Qatar mediates as Iran, US discuss broader issues

During the Doha meetings, Witkoff and Kushner held discussions with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, according to the Qatari government.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said talks included issues related to movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

“We’re worried about the nuclear issue,” Vance told reporters. “We’re going to start talking about that.”

Qatar’s foreign minister also met with Gharibabadi and Iranian officials, with Pakistani representatives participating as mediators.

Gharibabadi said Iran’s delegation did not hold direct talks with U.S. officials. Iranian state media reported that discussions with mediators focused on Lebanon and the possible release of frozen Iranian assets.

The situation in Lebanon remains another major challenge. Iran has demanded an end to fighting between Hezbollah, its regional ally, and Israeli forces.

Tehran has also called for Israel to withdraw from areas it currently controls in southern Lebanon. Israel, however, says it needs to maintain its positions and retain the ability to strike Hezbollah.

More vessels leave Strait of Hormuz

Despite recent disruptions, several countries reported progress in moving stranded ships out of the waterway.

Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said 10 of 11 Thai-flagged or Thai-operated vessels had safely exited the strait. South Korean officials said all but two of its 26 affected vessels had also managed to leave.

Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces shot down a small drone over Baghdad’s heavily secured Green Zone, which houses government offices and foreign embassies, according to two Iraqi officials.

One official said the drone was unarmed and was likely being used for surveillance. No group claimed responsibility for the incident.

The incident marked the first reported security breach in Baghdad since the United States and Iran reached their ceasefire understanding. Before that, Iran-backed Iraqi militias had carried out repeated attacks on U.S. military and diplomatic sites in the country.

With inputs from agencies