Iran Strikes Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions

The Strait of Hormuz remains a hotspot for tensions in the Middle East, as Iran claims to have struck an oil tanker trying to transit the strait. The Togo-flagged vessel, Trend, allegedly made an 'illegal attempt' to pass through the waterway on Thursday night, according to the state broadcaster citing the Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the report, but the Guard's navy warned that vessels attempting to pass through without authorization would face 'destruction.'

This comes as hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Tehran in support of the government since the US and Israel launched attacks in February. The protest saw participants trample flags of the US and Israel, while chanting 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel.'