Iran's IRGC strikes tanker and threatens to target vessels beyond Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned that vessels “violating” its designated routes would be pursued and "punished" anywhere in the region, as maritime agencies reported two further strikes on commercial ships in the Persian Gulf.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) admitted responsibility on Friday for setting fire to an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to target vessels deemed non-compliant beyond the strait and across the wider region. The IRGC Navy targeted the MV Sun Shine, a tanker belonging to Natwit, after it allegedly violated the strait's southern route, leading to a fire on board.
The IRGC warned that future actions against violating vessels would not be limited to the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that any ship using unauthorized routes would face consequences anywhere in the region. The group accused the US military of interfering in shipping and insurance decisions, suggesting a $6.5 billion bribe to shipping companies.
Iranian religious leader Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Javad Ali-Akbari stated that the strait would remain closed until Iran's conditions were met, signaling a shift from defensive to offensive strategy. US Central Command reported clearing the Strait's shipping lanes and removing naval mines, allowing safe passage for thousands of commercial ships.
However, the competing claims and recent attacks on oil tankers and gas carriers in the Persian Gulf highlight heightened tensions in the region.
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