Iran says struck oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz
A tanker was struck in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, causing a fire that was extinguished, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
"The CSO of a vessel has reported a tanker being hit by an unknown projectile, causing a fire onboard which has since been extinguished," the maritime monitor said, adding that the crew were safe, although the environmental impact of the attack was "unconfirmed".
Separately, Iran said it struck a Togo-flagged oil tanker, the Trend, for what it called an "illegal attempt" to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the state broadcaster reported, citing the Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The Guard's navy warned that unauthorized passage through the strait would result in the "destruction" of offending vessels, the broadcaster said. Tehran has asserted control over the waterway since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28.
The U.S. military has been guiding some commercial ships through the strait off Oman as the risk of Iranian attacks continues.
Source: Agence France Presse, Associated Press
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