Iran has claimed responsibility for setting oil tankers on fire in the Strait of Hormuz and attacking a US Patriot air defense system in Bahrain, according to a report. The unverified claims come amid escalating US-Iran military tensions in the Gulf region.
Iran has expanded its claimed attacks in the Gulf, now asserting that its forces set oil tankers ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz and struck a US Patriot air defense system in Bahrain. The unverified claims, reported overnight, come after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday evening said it had bombed two tankers in the Strait, warning that the waterway would remain unsafe. The new claim of a direct strike on a US Patriot system in Bahrain marks a potential escalation in the scope of targets.
The thread began on Monday, July 20, at 19:17 Jerusalem, when the IRGC first announced it had struck two tankers, alleging they used an unsafe route. In a subsequent update, the IRGC added that the attacks caused a massive fire. Now, early Tuesday, Iran claims to have also hit a Patriot battery in Bahrain. The claims have not been independently verified and rely on Iranian sources.
The Zioneer has reported on the broader context: On Sunday, July 19, the Iranian Vice President called for continued strikes on Gulf states cooperating with the US, terming the conflict the "Hormuz War." The same day, the US informed Israel of plans to escalate operations against Iran and warned that Iran might "break the tools" and attack Israel. Analyst Dr. Dan Diker had predicted on July 12 that Iran might expand attacks against oil tankers to pressure energy prices.
The new claim of a Patriot strike in Bahrain remains unverified. No independent confirmation from US, Bahraini, or other sources has emerged. The extent of the tanker damage and the reported fire also lack corroboration. The Zioneer continues to monitor the situation.
3 developments
- StrongIran's army blames Israel, US for strikes, claims drone attack on Kuwait, Bahrain
- StrongIran's army and Revolutionary Guard claim strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar
- DevelopingIRGC Claims Strikes on US Military Targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Seizure of Two Oil Tankers in Hormuz
- DevelopingCENTCOM confirms US strikes on 10 Iranian targets near Strait of Hormuz; IRGC retaliates with missiles and drones toward Bahrain and Kuwait
Source and signal
- Internal intake