Iranian Revolutionary Guards Report Naval Attacks in Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced on Thursday that several vessels were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz and the northern part of the Gulf. The Guards alleged that three vessels, described as non-compliant, caught fire after hitting a mine in the western part of the Strait of Hormuz the previous night. Additionally, they claimed that four other vessels involved in oil transfer were targeted in the northern Gulf after being tracked and monitored.

The Guards issued a warning to the U.S. military, stating that if Washington continues its current approach to the Strait of Hormuz, the conflict zone will expand to include U.S. military bases in the region. The statement also asserted that the U.S. insistence on guiding and pressuring vessels to pass through the strait, which is claimed to contain mines, will increase incidents and raise maritime risks.

The British Maritime Trade Operations (BMTO) also reported that a vessel was attacked with a projectile off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz. The incident is under investigation, and the BMTO has not attributed responsibility for the attack.

These claims come amidst rising military tensions in the strategically vital waterways of the region. The situation has raised concerns in global markets about the security of energy supplies and amid international skepticism about the veracity of these reports from Tehran and warnings of potential disruption to global trade.

**Context:** The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global oil supplies, with about 20% of the world's petroleum passing through it. Tensions in the region have significant implications for global energy markets and maritime security.