Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Apr 18: A tanker sailing near the Gulf of Oman came under fire after being approached by vessels linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations.
In an alert issued on its website, UKMTO said the vessel was operating about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman when it was approached by two IRGC-affiliated gunboats. The report stated that no radio warning was issued before the boats allegedly opened fire. Despite the incident, the tanker and its crew were reported safe, and investigations are ongoing.
The incident comes amid heightened regional maritime tensions, as Iran declared that control over the Strait of Hormuz had “reverted to its previous state,” signalling a more assertive posture over one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, quoted by state-linked media, said the Strait remains under “strict control” of Iranian armed forces. The statement accused the United States of “sea robbery” and “piracy,” linking the escalation to ongoing tensions involving a US naval presence in the region.
Iran further warned that operational conditions in the Strait would remain unchanged until restrictions on Iranian maritime movement are lifted, underscoring its demand for broader concessions in ongoing geopolitical disputes.
Shipping data indicated immediate disruption to maritime traffic. Tracking services reported that around 10 vessels altered course or turned back while attempting to pass through the Strait, particularly near waters off Larak Island, a known Iranian surveillance zone for maritime monitoring.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically important global oil transit routes, and any disruption in the area has historically triggered concerns over global energy security and shipping stability.
The latest developments add to rising uncertainty in the region, with maritime authorities and shipping operators closely monitoring conditions for further escalation.