Iran Strikes Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz
Iran Strikes Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz
The News
Iran says its Revolutionary Guard struck an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz because the ship was trying to "illegally pass" through the waterway.
The IRGC said in a statement carried by Iranian state media that it attacked the Togo-flagged tanker Trend, which then came to a halt.
Hours later, the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency reported on Friday that an oil tanker had been struck by an unidentified projectile in the strait — a second vessel hit in the same waterway on the same day, according to CBS News.
The strait is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, and satellite images now show oil from the tanker attacks spreading into the Persian Gulf.
Timeline
The U.K. navy agency reports a vessel coming under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, CBS News reported. Iran claims to have struck a ship attempting an "illegal crossing."
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it attacked the Togo-flagged tanker Trend after it tried to navigate the strait. The vessel came to a halt.
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency reports a second tanker struck by an unidentified projectile, hours after the Iranian claim.
Satellite images reviewed by Deutsche Welle show oil from the tanker attacks spreading across the Persian Gulf toward protected coral reefs and mangrove forests.
Reactions
Tehran was unapologetic. The IRGC framed the strike as enforcement, saying the tanker had tried to "illegally pass" through the Strait of Hormuz, and put the claim out through Iranian state media.
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency, which tracks threats to commercial shipping in the region, described the later hit in neutral terms — an oil tanker struck by an unidentified projectile — without assigning blame.
The Environmental Warning
Deutsche Welle reported that the attacks are spilling oil into the Persian Gulf, with satellite imagery showing the slick spreading toward protected coral reefs and mangrove forests.
What's Next
Watch for the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency to confirm the identity and condition of the second tanker, and for shipping companies to decide whether to keep sending vessels through the strait while Iran is claiming the right to stop them.
The oil already in the water is the slower problem: the spread tracked by satellite is moving toward sensitive coastal habitat, and cleanup and damage assessments have not been reported.
More
The Strait of Hormuz is the chokepoint at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The Independent reported the tanker strike alongside other Middle East developments on Friday.
Poll
How should the U.S. respond to attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz?
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