Iran Strikes Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz Amid Tensions with South Korea

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it struck an oil tanker attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, citing an 'illegal attempt' by the vessel. The state broadcaster reported that the Togo-flagged oil tanker, Trend, was targeted for unauthorized passage through the strait. However, the Associated Press could not immediately confirm this report.

The Revolutionary Guard's navy warned of 'destruction' for offending vessels attempting to pass through the waterway, which Tehran has asserted control over since the US and Israel launched a war on February 28. A separate incident occurred 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, where a ship experienced a 'security incident,' but its crew remained safe with no environmental impact confirmed.

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung stated his government is considering expanding the operations of a naval unit deployed in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen and Somalia to protect South Korean vessels and oil shipping routes. However, he emphasized that South Korea would not take action drawing it into the US-Iran conflict.