The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed Thursday morning that it prevented two oil tankers from leaving the Strait of Hormuz via an unauthorized southern route. According to the IRGC, a fire broke out on one of the tankers, causing both to turn back. The IRGC also threatened to keep the strait closed and warned that 'the aggressor will be punished today.'
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed Thursday morning that it prevented two oil tankers from leaving the Strait of Hormuz via an unauthorized southern route, with a fire breaking out on one vessel and forcing both to turn back. The IRGC also threatened to keep the strait closed and warned that "the aggressor will be punished today." The claim, reported by Iranian media, has not been independently verified.
The IRGC's latest statement follows a series of conflicting reports from the force earlier Thursday. At 08:34 Jerusalem, the IRGC initially claimed that two tankers aborted their exit after a fire, and simultaneously warned of punishment for the "aggressor" and continued closure of the strait. Shortly after, at the same time, the IRGC announced it had attacked two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz that were attempting to cross through Oman's territorial waters, according to the Iranian outlet Saham News. No details on the vessels' identity, nationality, damage, or casualties were provided in that announcement.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the IRGC's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its strikes on vessels, as well as US retaliatory operations against IRGC assets in southern Iran. The IRGC has also threatened to halt oil and gas exports through the strait amid ongoing tensions with the United States.
It remains unclear whether the tanker incident and the attack announcement refer to the same vessels or are separate events. The IRGC's claims are unverified, and no independent confirmation has been obtained.
7 developments
- ConfirmedIRGC threatens imminent retaliation after US strikes near Strait of Hormuz
- StrongIRGC claims fatal tanker attack, warns against US cooperation in Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingIRGC Threatens to Halt Oil, Gas Exports Through Strait of Hormuz if US Strikes Continue
- DevelopingIRGC Navy commander threatens to attack hostile warships in Strait of Hormuz
Source and signal
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