Seven oil tankers were reportedly damaged in a single day in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime routes for oil transport. The news was reported by Iranian state television, citing a statement from the navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to information carried by the Associated Press, four ships were attacked during oil transfer operations, while the remaining three vessels were damaged after striking naval mines. It has not yet been independently confirmed who placed the mines mentioned in the reports, nor whether all incidents are linked to one another.
If reports of all incidents are confirmed, it would mark the highest number of tankers damaged in a single day in the area since 28 February. The war with Iran began on 28 February following joint US and Israeli strikes.
No information has yet been released regarding potential casualties or injuries. It is unknown under which flags the damaged vessels were sailing, nor the extent of the material damage. Key circumstances of the latest incidents, including the identity of the attacked ships, the scale of the damage and responsibility for the attacks, await independent confirmation.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps previously threatened attacks on US military bases in the region if the United States attempts to organise the passage of oil tankers via alternative routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran could interpret such a move by Washington as an attempt to bypass Iranian control over maritime traffic. Iranian forces have already attacked US military facilities in the Persian Gulf states during the ongoing conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the open sea. In a separate development, the Yemeni Ministry of Defence issued a warning via social media stating that gatherings and mobilisation activities linked to the Houthis would be considered legitimate military targets. The Houthis are a rebel group supported by Iran.
Residents in areas under Houthi control were told to avoid participating in such events. The warning also applies to gatherings and so-called cultural courses which Yemeni authorities claim are used to recruit new members of the rebel movement. The Ministry of Defence accuses the Houthis of using such activities to involve children in armed conflicts.
