Strait of Hormuz sanctions loom as US targets Iran after tanker drone strikes

Drone strikes on two UAE-owned tankers in the Strait of Hormuz have sharply disrupted shipping through one of the world’s key energy chokepoints. Data cited by Kpler shows that by the next day only two vessels were reported passing the waterway, down from normal levels where about one-fifth of daily global petroleum flows through the strait. The affected ships are the ADNOC-owned Navig8 Messi and Tarif. The UAE publicly accused Iran of “piracy” threatening global energy security, marking a diplomatic escalation. Washington moved quickly: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a fresh, comprehensive package of Strait of Hormuz sanctions is expected during the week of August 17, aimed at further isolating Tehran. The article links the renewed pressure to the June 2026 collapse of a US–Iran memorandum that had been intended to secure safe passage via the strait in exchange for sanctions relief. With that framework gone, Iran has challenged maritime traffic, while the US has combined military responses and economic measures. The new package is described as targeting entities linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), potentially broader than prior targeted designations. Energy market implications: historical episodes of escalations in the Strait of Hormuz have coincided with crude spikes, such as the 2019 tanker attacks that lifted Brent by about 4% in a session. Higher war-risk and insurance premiums are likely to rise again as Strait of Hormuz sanctions expectations grow, increasing uncertainty for oil-linked risk sentiment.