Iran Claims Strike on Oil Tanker Amid Middle East Tensions
Iran has claimed to have struck an oil tanker attempting to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Iran's state broadcaster. The Revolutionary Guard Corps cited the attack as an 'illegal attempt' to pass through the strait without authorization.
The UKMTO reported a 'security incident' involving a vessel 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, but it is unclear whether this refers to the claimed Iranian attack. The crew was safe and no environmental damage was reported.
The US military has been escorting some commercial ships through the strait off Oman due to the threat of Iranian attacks. Separately, a tanker in the strait was hit by an 'unknown projectile,' causing a fire that was later extinguished. The crew was safe and no environmental damage was reported.