Iran Strikes Togo-Flagged Oil Tanker Amid Strait of Hormuz Conflict

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed to have struck and detained a Togo-flagged oil tanker, the Trend, in the Strait of Hormuz after it allegedly attempted an 'illegal passage'. The incident occurred on Friday, with the IRGC stating that the vessel caught fire after being targeted.

The IRGC warned that unauthorized vessels would face consequences for crossing the strategic waterway outside Iran's preferred route. Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been sharply reduced amid the ongoing regional conflict, with only four commodity vessels transiting the waterway on Thursday, compared to a 10-day average of 16.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a security incident in the Strait of Hormuz, but did not identify the vessel involved. It remains unclear whether the UKMTO's report concerns the same tanker mentioned by Iran.