Iran’s IRGC says 3rd ‘offending’ supertanker hit in Strait of Hormuz in 2 days

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy said Monday that a third supertanker it described as “offending” was struck in the Strait of Hormuz in two days and caught fire, Anadolu reports.

In a statement issued by its public relations office, the navy said the tanker was hit Monday morning after switching off its navigation system and ignoring warnings.

It alleged that the vessel, like those previously hit, had attempted to leave the strait and disrupt order and security in the waterway.

The statement did not identify the tanker, its flag or operator, or specify how it was struck.

The IRGC navy warned that any cooperation by commercial vessels and oil tankers with the US military in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf would face a “decisive response.”

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Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Monday it had received a delayed report on Sunday of an incident in the Strait of Hormuz involving an outbound tanker that was struck by an unknown projectile.

The crew was confirmed safe, while the environmental impact remained unknown and authorities were investigating, UKMTO said.

Tehran has threatened to target vessels using routes other than those designated by Iranian authorities or attempting to cross the waterway without permission.

The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington later imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

The US and Iran subsequently signed a memorandum of understanding in June concerning freedom of navigation in the strait, but implementation stalled over disagreements related to security in the strategic waterway.

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