The maritime escalation around the Strait of Hormuz is intensifying significantly: the US has struck five tankers linked to Iran, while Tehran has reported attacks on American and commercial vessels.
The maritime conflict around the Strait of Hormuz has escalated sharply over the past 24 hours. According to Splash247, the United States attacked five tankers linked to Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attempted to strike a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles.
Four vessels were targeted in the Gulf of Oman — Aframax tankers Kaviz and Riesco, product tanker Charminar, and gas carrier Horizon 1. Another Iranian VLCC, NITC’s Derya, was attacked near Kharg Island. US forces ordered the crews to abandon the vessels before the strikes.
US Central Command said all five vessels were destroyed. However, images circulating online indicate that several of the tankers sustained significant damage around their sterns and engine rooms. Riesco suffered the most severe damage and subsequently sank.
Following the latest strikes, the number of Iranian or Iran-linked tankers attacked by US forces has reached eight. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington plans to continue pursuing this policy.
On Wednesday, Iran reported attacks on two US vessels, eight oil tankers and another 10 ships attempting to cross the dangerous zone declared by Tehran in the Strait of Hormuz. It should be noted that none of these claims has been independently verified.
The International Maritime Organization has warned that the risks to shipping extend far beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Amid attacks in the Black Sea and Red Sea and the resurgence of Somali piracy, shipping is increasingly becoming a tool of geopolitical pressure, creating additional risks for global trade.
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