Iranian state-linked media outlet Tasnim reports that two explosions heard near Qeshm Island on Thursday evening were caused by Iranian forces engaging two commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The vessels were reportedly using the U.S.-established safe route through Omani waters rather than Iran's designated traffic separation scheme.
The reported explosions on Qeshm Island on Thursday evening at 21:14 Jerusalem are now being attributed by the state-linked Iranian outlet Tasnim to Iranian forces engaging two commercial vessels. According to Tasnim, the vessels were targeted because they were using the U.S.-established safe route through Omani waters rather than Iran's designated traffic separation scheme. This adds a specific justification to the IRGC's earlier claim that the ships 'violated the law.'
The story unfolded rapidly on Thursday evening. At 21:14 Jerusalem, initial unverified reports described explosions on Qeshm Island (The Zioneer, Version 1). Within minutes, reports expanded to include the port city of Bandar Abbas (Version 2). By 21:14, Iranian state-affiliated media attributed the blasts to an operation against 'hostile targets' at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz (Version 3). The Iranian Navy then confirmed that the explosions were interceptions of hostile targets, citing military sources (Version 4). The IRGC subsequently stated that the explosions were caused by an attack on two ships that 'violated the law' (Version 5). The current report from Tasnim, specifying the nature of the violation, represents the latest iteration of the Iranian narrative.
The incident is part of the broader kinetic confrontation between the United States and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz. As The Zioneer reported on July 16, the U.S. conducted strikes on Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas. On July 29, The Zioneer reported that Iran struck three oil tankers in the strait, and on July 7, Iran launched ballistic missiles at commercial ships. The Tasnim report fits a pattern of Iranian justification for targeting vessels that deviate from their designated routes.
No details on casualties or damage to the vessels have been reported. The report remains sourced from state-aligned Iranian media and has not been independently verified. The specific condition of the targeted ships, their identities, and any response from the United States or affected parties remain unknown.
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