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A vessel was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency, marking a fresh escalation in the shipping corridor as prospects for U.S.-Iran diplomacy remain elusive. The incident occurred ahead of an expected meeting between Iranian and Gulf officials in Oman intended to produce an agreement safeguarding shipping through the strait. The strike adds to mounting risk in one of the world's most critical oil-transit chokepoints, raising concerns among shipping insurers and energy traders about further disruption. It comes as broader efforts to de-escalate the U.S.-Iran standoff have so far failed to produce a durable resolution.