US Navy Says Iran Attempted To Seize 2 Oil Tankers In Hormuz Strait, Fired Shots At One

It mentioned that in both cases, Iran’s naval vessels backed off after the US Navy eventually responded to distress signals and that both commercial vessels continued the voyages. Iran tried seizing two oil tankers close to the Strait of Hormuz early on Wednesday, firing some shots at one of those, the US Navy mentioned.

It said that Iran’s naval vessels backed off in both cases after the US Navy duly responded to the distress signals and that both commercial vessels continued voyages. The Iranian navy did try to seize commercial tankers transiting international waters lawfully, said Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, the spokesman associated with the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.

The US Navy immediately responded and prevented the seizures.
He said the gunfire directed at the second vessel didn’t cause significant damage or casualties.

The US Navy says Iran has seized at least five commercial vessels over the past two years and has harassed many others. Many incidents have occurred in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, via which 20% of the total crude oil passes.

There was no immediate comment from Iran on the most recent incidents. US-Iranian tensions have steadily increased since the Trump administration withdrew from Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement unilaterally with world powers and restored the crippling sanctions.

Iran responded by ramping up nuclear activities — which it says are peaceful — and offering armed drones to Russia for war against Ukraine.

Reference: Hindustan Times, CBS News, Iran International

US Navy Says Iran Attempted To Seize 2 Oil Tankers In Hormuz Strait, Fired Shots At One appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News