Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to hit a U.S. oil tanker in the northern part of the Gulf as the war brings global oil supplies through the all-important Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC had warned that any vessels, military or commercial, linked to the U.S., Israel or supporting European countries will not be allowed to pass through the Strait, the narrow body of water between Iran and Oman.
“If they are observed, they will certainly be hit,” the IRGC said in its statement. It comes as a haunting new map reveals the 4 safest US states to live in during a nuclear war.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the U.S. tanker was anchored off the coast of Kuwait when it was hit on Wednesday morning. Oil is gushing into the water and an environmental impact is feared. Witnesses say they heard a large explosion and saw a small craft leave the area. There are no reports of fire and the crew are all safe.
“We had previously said that, based on international laws and resolutions, in times of war, the Islamic Republic of Iran will have the right to control the passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” IRGC said, Iran’s Tasnim News reports.
The Tasnim news agency issued a warning about Iran’s response to US-Israeli strikes, stating: “Everyone must comply with this.”
It comes after an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, leaving hundreds dead. Iran has threatened the destruction of military and economic infrastructure across the region.
Israel announced multiple incoming missile attacks, and air sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Iranian state television said additional strikes also targeted US bases. The Israeli military said it had begun new strikes in Lebanon targeting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
The fighting continued after the US and Israel intensified their bombardment of Iran on Wednesday. In the face of such attacks Iranian state television announced the mourning ceremony for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the start of the conflict, would be delayed.
Iran has effectively closed the Strait to oil and gas exports since the war erupted. Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported that seaborne traffic had dropped by 80 per cent by Sunday.
Despite the alarming drop in traffic, Tehran’s capacity to attack ships has been hammered by US strikes. The US Central Command (Centcom) say they have sunk or crippled all 11 of the ships the navy had operating in the Gulf of Oman.
It comes after Trump was caught on a hot mic making a chilling threat before WW3 erupted.
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