Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy said it had targeted three oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz and three other US-affiliated ships in response to US attacks.
The claim came as the US carried out strikes on three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday. According to the US Central Command, the strikes were carried out after the Iranian Revolutionary Guards attempted to target US ships with missiles.
According to the US military, three Iranian oil tankers were targeted in different areas of the Gulf and the Sea of Oman. One of them was near Iran’s main oil hub, Kharg Island, while the others were carried out near Jask and the Gulf of Oman. US officials said two of the ships were disabled and one was completely destroyed.
Iran described the US strike as an attack on its commercial vessels and then announced a counter-strike. The Revolutionary Guards Navy said three tankers were passing through a route in the Strait of Hormuz that Iran had deemed unauthorised. In addition, three ships that Iran had identified as being affiliated with the United States were also targeted.
However, Iran’s claim that it had damaged American or US-affiliated ships could not be immediately confirmed by independent sources. US officials also did not immediately confirm the claims.
The Revolutionary Guards have warned ships in the Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz not to attempt to pass through routes that Iran has deemed unauthorised. Iranian forces have said that ships making suspicious or unauthorised movements could be targeted.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital sea route for global energy trade. A large amount of oil from the Gulf passes through this route to global markets. Therefore, even a small increase in shipping activity here can affect oil shipments, shipping and global prices.
Recent events have raised concerns that the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran could spill over to commercial shipping. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is particularly important for shipping companies and energy markets in the region.
Iran says that the end of US naval and economic pressure is necessary to restore normalcy in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has also said that its response could be more severe if US operations in the region continue.
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