Iran's military insisted it retained full control of Hormuz and the foreign minister said the strait could reopen within seven days if Tehran's conditions were met, after US Treasury Secretary Bessent said Iran had not loaded a single barrel of crude onto tankers in September.
Government spokespeople have not yet responded to every detail in early accounts, and investigators cautioned that initial figures can change as additional witnesses come forward.
Analysts following the international community said the development fits a broader pattern of fast-moving events that require careful verification before policy responses are finalized.