Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said on Thursday that four vessels involved in illegal oil transfers in the northern Persian Gulf were hit simultaneously and caught fire after being tracked by Iranian forces a day earlier.
The IRGC also reported that three additional vessels collided with mines west of the Strait of Hormuz, while warning the US military that continued provocations could trigger a wider response against American regional bases.
According to the IRGC Navy, Iranian forces tracked the four vessels before they were hit on Wednesday. The vessels were allegedly involved in illegal oil transfers in the northern Persian Gulf, the force said.
The IRGC reported that all four vessels caught fire after being struck simultaneously. However, the statement provided no further details about the vessels’ identities, the extent of the damage or any casualties.
Three vessels reportedly hit mines near Hormuz
In a separate development, the IRGC Navy said three more vessels collided with mines west of the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement did not specify the identities of the vessels, the circumstances of the incidents or whether anyone was injured. It also did not provide further details about the mines or the damage caused.
The reported incidents add to security concerns around the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important maritime passage for international energy shipments.
IRGC warns US against further provocations
Alongside its account of the maritime incidents, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy issued a warning to the US military.
The IRGC said continued provocations could lead to a broader response targeting US military bases across the region. The statement did not specify what actions Tehran might take or identify the incidents it considered provocations.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran and the United States, with developments around the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz carrying potential implications for regional security and maritime traffic.
