Iran Says It Struck Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Tehran, Sep 18: Iran has said its Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a Togo-flagged oil tanker attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, amid continuing tensions in the strategic waterway.
Iranian state broadcaster reported that the vessel, identified as the Trend, was targeted over what Tehran described as an illegal attempt to pass through the strait. The Revolutionary Guard warned that unauthorised vessels attempting to cross the waterway could face further action.
The report could not immediately be independently verified by The Associated Press.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key international shipping route, particularly for crude oil and other energy supplies. The latest incident has added to concerns over maritime security and the movement of commercial vessels through the region.
South Korea is also reviewing measures to strengthen the protection of its commercial shipping and crude oil shipments in the region. President Lee Jae Myung said Seoul would not deploy military assets in a way that would involve the country in the conflict, while indicating that measures to protect navigation and South Korean interests were under consideration.
The developments come amid continuing tensions surrounding the wider conflict in the Middle East, with governments closely monitoring the security of shipping routes and energy supplies.
