Ships reportedly targeted in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman
Iran and the US said ships were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The reports have not been independently verified, while restrictions on energy and other commodity shipments continue.
This article was translated from Turkish with the help of artificial intelligence. Read the original (Türkçe)
New reports of attacks and explosions involving ships in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman have once again drawn attention to the maritime dimension of the conflict, which is restricting energy and other commodity exports. Iran said tankers had struck mines and caught fire, while the US military said it had disabled a commercial vessel attempting to breach the blockade. Reuters said it could not independently verify the reported attacks.
Conflicting accounts of incidents involving ships
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy announced that two oil tankers attempting to travel along an unauthorised route through the Strait of Hormuz had struck mines and caught fire. The semi-official Fars news agency later reported that a third tanker had also been hit by an explosion and caught fire.
According to a statement issued by the US military on Saturday evening, US air forces fired on the stern of a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman. The statement said the vessel had attempted to breach the blockade and was unable to continue its voyage following the intervention.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also reported an incident involving a bulk carrier and military forces approximately 18 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates. The extent of the damage and whether the incident was connected to the intervention announced by the US remain unclear.
Cause of explosions on Qeshm Island unclear
Iranian state television reported that, following explosions heard in various areas, including Qeshm Island, officials had not confirmed that missiles had been fired at Iranian territory. The explosions were said to possibly be related to Iranian military activity in the area.
The Tasnim news agency claimed that two missiles had hit Qeshm Island, but provided no official information about possible damage. Iran and the US did not comment on the report.
As developments at sea continued, Qatar, which is acting as a mediator, rejected reports on Saturday that the US and Iran had failed to reach an agreement. Qatar’s statement said the two sides were continuing to work towards a deal.
Sources
- Cyprus Mail — Iran suggests blasts are not US attacks as both sides report ships hit
This article was prepared by compiling information from the sources above and rewriting it with the help of artificial intelligence. Our editorial principles
