Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy claimed that its forces struck and stopped two oil tankers trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday . According to Iran, the tankers ignored repeated warnings before Iranian forces hit them.
Iran’s military explained the two tankers tried to use a route that Iran calls unauthorized, while operating under protection of American military aircraft. Iranian officials also claimed that American forces directed the ships toward that route. According to the same statement, four other oil tankers turned back and left the area after receiving warnings from Iranian forces.
Iran’s Guard Corps also said it told shipping companies and insurance firms not to trust recent statements from the US military’s Central Command, which Iran called false. Iranian officials said companies should instead speak with others who they say fell for similar tricks before and got into trouble as a result.
Iran’s navy also warned that it would respond strongly to any action by US forces against ships in the region. Military officials said they would continue protecting Iran’s territorial waters and national security no matter what.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important shipping routes on Earth. About one-fifth of the world’s oil moves through this narrow sea route every single day. Therefore, any disruption there affects energy prices and trade around the globe.
The US military rejected Iran’s claims. One day earlier, US Central Command dismissed several recent Iranian statements, including a claim that ships could not safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The US military called the claim false and said the real threat to civilian ships comes from Iran’s own attacks and warnings.
This is not the first time Iran has made this kind of claim. Iranian forces have announced similar tanker strikes several times in recent weeks. But, US officials have rejected most of these reports as inaccurate.
US Central Command has also said the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial shipping despite Iran’s claims. The US military said its forces helped more than 900 commercial ships pass safely through the waterway during the past two months.
Independent maritime reports show the conflict has already caused serious damage to shipping. Since the crisis began, one tugboat has sunk, more than a dozen merchant ships have been damaged, two merchant ships have been seized, and about a dozen sailors have been killed or reported missing.
The tanker incident comes at a time of rising tensions between the United States and Iran. Just days earlier, Iran launched a surprise attack on US forces while President Donald Trump warned that the United States would respond with force. In recent days, the US and its allies have also carried out new strikes against Iran-backed fighters in Iraq.
Both countries are presenting different stories about what is really happening in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says it has full control over the waterway, while US officials say commercial shipping continues to operate safely despite ongoing threats from Tehran.
