Iranian media report that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stopped two oil tankers on their way to the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, and four additional tankers changed course. The report has not been independently verified.
Iranian media reported at 12:30 Jerusalem time that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stopped two oil tankers en route to the Strait of Hormuz and forced four additional tankers to change course. The report follows an earlier IRGC claim, published by The Zioneer at 12:28, that its naval forces attacked two oil tankers in the strait earlier this morning, accusing the United States of backing the vessels.
The story has unfolded within minutes on Friday. At 12:27 Jerusalem, three nearly simultaneous reports emerged: the IRGC's initial claim of attacking two tankers via an unrecognized route; Iranian state-aligned media reports, cited by Israeli broadcaster N12, that the IRGC intercepted two tankers and forced four others to divert; and a subsequent IRGC claim that the tankers were under US naval escort during the attack. All accounts rely on Iranian sources and have not been independently verified.
The IRGC has conducted a series of interdictions in the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks as part of its campaign to assert control over the waterway. As The Zioneer reported on July 14, the IRGC confirmed disabling two commercial vessels in the strait, and on July 21, the IRGC claimed to have seized two oil tankers. The IRGC had declared the strait closed on June 10 following reported US strikes on coastal sites.
No independent confirmation of the stoppage or course changes has been obtained. The current status of the six vessels, any damage, or potential casualties remain unclear. The reports remain unverified by independent sources.
5 developments
- DevelopingIRGC diverts six ships from Omani route in Strait of Hormuz, Pars agency reports
- DevelopingIRGC turns ships back in Strait of Hormuz, analyst suggests mine avoidance
- StrongIRGC Confirms Two Commercial Vessels Disabled in Strait of Hormuz, Warns of Further Action
- StrongIran's IRGC asserts full control of Strait of Hormuz, threatens force on unauthorized vessels
Source and signal
- Open-source intake