Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in the vital oil shipping route. According to a report by the Islamic Republic News Agency, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Israeli-owned vessel Express Rome, sailing under a Liberian flag, and the container ship Mayuri Nari were struck with projectiles after allegedly ignoring warnings and were forced to stop. Meanwhile, Alireza Tangsiri said any vessel intending to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain permission from Iran. The Royal Thai Navy stated that the cargo ship Mayuri Nari, carrying 23 crew members, came under attack while transiting the strait. According to Agence France-Presse, Oman rescued 20 crew members from the vessel, while operations are ongoing to locate three others. The incident comes after the military of the United States earlier announced the destruction of several Iranian vessels, including 16 mine-laying boats, near the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, Donald Trump warned that if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, it would face a response “20 times stronger.” As tensions escalate between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other, the passage of ships and oil tankers through this strategic waterway has decreased, while global oil prices have begun to rise.
