Netanyahu Pledges to Secure Sea Trade After Hormuz Tanker Strike

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Israeli Navy's Haifa base with Navy commander Maj. Gen. Eyal Harel, received an operational briefing and told soldiers Israel's goal is to secure shipping routes and freedom of maritime trade, which he said are vital to the state. The statement followed maritime reports that a tanker was hit in or near the Strait of Hormuz, with UKMTO saying no casualties or environmental damage were reported. One account described an unknown projectile and fire near Limah, Oman, while another cited U.S. officials saying Iran fired missiles at commercial ships. The paired developments put Israel's naval-readiness message beside renewed pressure on a sea lane central to Gulf trade and global energy supply.