On March 5, the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (IRGC) announced that it had launched missiles to attack a US oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf area, causing the ship to catch fire.
According to a statement broadcast by Iranian state television, the attack took place in the early morning of the same day. IRGC said that naval combat units hit the target with missiles.
Early this morning, a tanker in the northern Persian Gulf was attacked and caught fire by IRGC naval fighter jets," the IRGC statement stated.
The IRGC said the ship was hit by multiple missiles and is on fire at sea. However, the Iranian side did not provide further details about the ship's identity, damage or casualties.
Along with the announcement of the attack, the IRGC also issued a tough warning regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean and one of the world's most important "energy nuclei".
According to the IRGC, the Strait of Hormuz is currently under Iran's control and all ships linked to the US or Israel will be banned from passing through this area.
In an official statement, the IRGC's public relations department emphasized that, according to international law and regulations, the control of crossings in the Strait of Hormuz during wartime belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
All parties must comply," the IRGC emphasized in a statement.
This force also reiterated the warning issued earlier that military and commercial ships of the United States, Israel, European countries as well as their supporters will not be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the IRGC, if these ships are detected in the area, Iranian forces will launch an attack.
Iran's latest statements are made in the context of the Middle East region falling into an unprecedented spiral of tension, as strategic energy transport routes in the Persian Gulf and its vicinity continuously become military targets.
The Strait of Hormuz is particularly important for the global energy market. About 20% of the world's traded oil must pass through this narrow sea route every day. Therefore, any blockade or military conflict here could have a major impact on energy supplies and global oil prices.
Iran's announcement of attacking a US oil tanker and warning of blocking ships related to the US and Israel raises concerns that the world's most important oil and gas transport route may continue to be disrupted in the near future.
