WASHINGTON — Iran’s battered navy has reportedly warned foreign ships on Wednesday that they will be “destroyed” if they attempt to cross the Strait of Hormuz without permission from Tehran. “You must receive permission from Iranian Sepah navy for passing through the strait.

A Thai-flagged cargo vessel was struck in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday shortly after departing from the United Arab Emirates, as regional tensions continue to disrupt one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.

The purported attacks come amid Iran’s threats to target ships in the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation against the U.S.-Israeli strikes on its territory.

Even after a cease-fire, Iran is keeping a chokehold on traffic, forcing countries to cut deals that could put them at odds with the U.S.

Attacks on ships are escalating in the Arabian Gulf as Israel and Iran both launched fresh waves of intense strikes overnight.

A fragile ceasefire that’s mostly quieted the skies over the Middle East isn’t giving shippers the nerve to brave the narrow waterway that holds the key to 20% of the world’s oil supply.

Cargo vessels and tanker transits through the Strait of Hormuz saw a minimal rise last week, despite Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s denial the waterway is facing a blockage. Shipping analysis Lloyd’s List reported Monday that recent transits still represent less than 10 percent of the average traffic.

President Donald Trump said the U.S. military would remain around Iran until a real agreement is reached and fully complied with.

Iran, the United States and Israel have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, an 11th-hour deal that headed off U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to unleash a bombing campaign that would