Iran Forces US Ship to Turn Around in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy forced a US tanker to turn around near the Strait of Hormuz after the vessel attempted to pass with its radar system switched off, according to semi-official Tasnim news agency on Thursday morning. Citing military sources, Tasnim reported that IRGC naval forces responded swiftly, firing warning shots to compel the ship to retreat. Tasnim linked the incident to an earlier explosion near southern port city Bandar Abbas, where Iranian media reported air defence systems were activated. The news agency stated the incident caused no casualties or material damage. The report came as a US official confirmed to Anadolu that the US conducted another round of airstrikes in southern Iran, shooting down four Iranian one-way attack drones posing a threat near the Strait of Hormuz. ‘The US forces also struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch a fifth drone,’ said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity on Wednesday (27 May). ‘These actions are measured, purely defensive, and intended to uphold the ceasefire,’ the official added. Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February. Tehran retaliated with strikes targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf, alongside the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect on 8 April through Pakistani mediation and was later extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump. US-Iran tensions peaked following mutual attacks in Bandar Abbas and Kuwait’s involvement, threatening peace talks and stability in the Strait of Hormuz. Asserting that freedom of navigation is a concern for all, he called for conflicting parties to swiftly reach a peace agreement. US President Donald Trump threatened to attack Oman if it did not comply with control of the Strait of Hormuz and refused to sign the Abraham Accords. Iran subsequently launched attacks on Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East as self-defence. He stated the Dutch government is exploring options to deploy mine-sweeping vessels to the Strait of Hormuz alongside allied nations.