Iran Attacks Oil Tanker Attempting Illegal Transit Through Strait of Hormuz
TEHRAN – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Monday that it had fired upon an oil tanker alleged to be attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz “illegally.” According to the Guard Corps statement, the oil tanker Athena Nova, linked to a US ally, was attacked by two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the strait.
The corps stated that following the attack, a fire broke out on the tanker. The Strait of Hormuz accounts for approximately one-fifth of global oil trade and carries substantial exports of liquefied natural gas from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Around 20 per cent of global daily oil consumption – approximately 20 million barrels – passes through this corridor. This development came after the United States and Israel launched a major assault on Iran on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of several senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and regional locations housing US military assets, escalating tensions across the Middle East.
A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard official stated on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and Iran will fire upon any ship attempting to pass through it, Iranian media reported.
This is Iran’s most explicit warning since announcing to vessels that it was closing the export route on Saturday, an action that threatens to disrupt one-fifth of global oil flow and cause crude oil prices to spike sharply.
The first attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz occurred early Sunday morning. Oman’s Maritime Security Centre announced that the oil tanker Skylight, flying the flag of the Republic of Palau, was targeted approximately five nautical miles (9.26 kilometres) north of Khasab Port.
In a statement shared on X, Omani authorities confirmed that 20 crew members, including 15 Indian nationals and 5 Iranian nationals, were all evacuated. Initial information also indicated at least four people were injured and were transferred for medical treatment.