Iran launched at least two missiles at commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, according to two U.S. officials cited by Axios, raising new concerns about maritime security and increasing the likelihood of a U.S. military response.

The reported attacks targeted two commercial ships traveling through one of the world's busiest shipping lanes after a temporary pause in hostilities had expired.

According to Axios, Iran's actions threaten to undermine a memorandum of understanding reached less than three weeks ago under which Tehran agreed to stop attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes also came after a separate one-week agreement between the United States and Iran to halt attacks in the strategic waterway had expired.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said Monday it received a report that a tanker traveling south near Oman's coast along the Strait of Hormuz had been struck by an unknown projectile, sparking a fire aboard the vessel.

A U.S. official told Axios that a second commercial ship also was struck by an Iranian missile.

Both vessels sustained significant damage, though the U.S. official said there were no reported casualties.

The incidents are expected to further intensify tensions between Washington and Tehran following weeks of diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing the risk of attacks on commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf.

Axios reported that the United States is likely to respond with strikes against Iranian targets, although U.S. officials had not publicly announced any retaliatory action as of Monday night.

The latest attacks also followed indirect negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials in Doha, Qatar, last week. According to Axios, the talks ended without significant progress on resolving disputes over security in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints, carrying a substantial share of global oil shipments.

Any disruption to commercial traffic through the narrow passage can have far-reaching consequences for international energy markets and regional security.