The United States and Iran both claimed authority over the Strait of Hormuz on Monday following another weekend of military exchanges across the Middle East, adding fresh uncertainty to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

The latest escalation was triggered after Iran struck a commercial container ship transiting the strategic waterway off the coast of Oman on Sunday, further intensifying a dispute over one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments traditionally pass, has become the central flashpoint in negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Since the conflict began, Iran has repeatedly disrupted commercial shipping through attacks and threats targeting vessels operating near the narrow entrance to the Persian Gulf, creating significant challenges for global maritime trade.

The United States and Iran are approaching the halfway point of a 60-day interim agreement that was intended to pave the way for negotiations on a permanent end to the war.

Instead of advancing toward a broader settlement, the agreement has been overshadowed by repeated confrontations over the future of the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears that the conflict could escalate once again.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the deteriorating security situation poses a serious threat to regional and global stability.

“A return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences,” Guterres said in a statement.

The renewed tensions have heightened concerns among world leaders, who fear that continued clashes in and around the Strait of Hormuz could derail diplomatic progress, disrupt global energy markets and trigger a broader regional conflict.