DUBAI – Iran attempted to seize two oil tankers near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday, firing bullets at one of them, according to the US Navy.
According to the report, the Iranian navy warships pulled off after the US Navy responded in both incidents, and both commercial ships completed their voyages.
“The Iranian navy did make attempts to seize commercial tankers lawfully transiting international waters,” said Cmdr. Tim Hawkins of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. “The US Navy responded immediately and prevented those seizures.”
He stated that the gunfire directed at the second vessel resulted in no injuries or significant damage.
There was no immediate response from Iran to the incidents.
According to Ambrey, the tanker that was shot upon was a Bahamas-flagged, Greek-owned, and US-managed crude oil tanker transiting from the United Arab Emirates to Singapore. According to the report, the shooting occurred 28 nautical miles northeast of Muscat, Oman’s capital.
According to the US Navy, Iran has captured at least five commercial vessels and harassed numerous others in the last two years. Many of the events have occurred in and near the Strait of Hormuz, the Arabian Gulf’s small opening through which 20% of all crude oil passes.
In April, camouflaged Iranian naval commandos executed a helicopter-borne operation in the Gulf of Oman to seize a US-bound oil tanker, footage of which was broadcast on Iranian official television. Iran said the tanker was taken after colliding with another Iranian vessel, but no evidence was offered. Iran has previously seized commercial vessels as a bargaining chip with the West.
Since the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement with international powers and reinstated crushing sanctions, tensions between the US and Iran have progressively escalated. Iran has replied by increasing its nuclear activities, which it claims are entirely harmless, and by supplying Russia with armed drones for its conflict against Ukraine.
