Iranian state media claims gas tanker attacked in Strait of Hormuz after ignoring warnings

Iran's state broadcasting authority reported Tuesday that the gas tanker Al-Rakiat came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz after allegedly ignoring repeated warnings. The vessel was attempting to cross via the Omani route with US Navy support, according to the claim.

Iran's state broadcasting authority claimed Tuesday morning that the gas tanker Al-Rakiat came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz after attempting to cross via the Omani route with US Navy support. According to the report, the vessel ignored repeated warnings before being struck.

The claim is part of a fast-moving chain of reports overnight and early Tuesday. At 03:15 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that an oil tanker was struck by fire in the strait after ignoring warnings, and that the UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the vessel caught fire with all crew safe. Separately, the IRGC was reported to have struck a Qatari LNG tanker, with US sources claiming a second vessel was hit. A single unverified report first indicated Iran had attacked a gas tanker; that claim was subsequently confirmed by the US and by Iranian state TV, which said the IRGC struck a Qatari tanker that "ignored warnings." The current report names the vessel as Al-Rakiat and specifies US Navy support — a detail that had not appeared in earlier thread items.

The incidents unfold against a backdrop of heightened Iranian maritime blockade enforcement in the strait. As The Zioneer reported, Iran has threatened to attack any vessel crossing the strait, and ships have been shifting to the Omani side in coordination with American encouragement. The US has also conducted strikes on vessels attempting to break the blockade.

No independent confirmation of the latest attack on the Al-Rakiat has been obtained, and the US Navy has not commented on the reported involvement.

14 developments

1. 1 hour ago · 08:36 · 7 JulLatest

   Identified vessel as Al-Rakiat; reported US Navy support during transit.

2. 08:22 · 7 Jul

   Iranian state TV claims tanker was struck after ignoring warnings.

3. 08:16 · 7 Jul

   US sources report a second vessel was also struck.

• Developing01:13 · 12 JunIranian forces block tanker in Strait of Hormuz, Fars reports
• Developing19:08 · 27 JunBritish tanker attacked in Strait of Hormuz, Iranian-linked source says
• Strong14:10 · 19 JunIranian source threatens to attack any vessel crossing the Strait of Hormuz
• Strong02:09 · 12 JunIranian source: explosion near Sirik tied to tanker confrontation in Strait of Hormuz

Source and signal

• Internal intake