Iran claims strike on US-linked oil tanker in Persian Gulf

Iran claims strike on US-linked oil tanker in Persian Gulf

Iran has claimed responsibility for a strike on a United States-linked oil tanker in the Persian Gulf, according to Iranian state media reports on Thursday.

Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its naval forces targeted the vessel in the northern part of the gulf, alleging that the tanker had ties to the United States.

State media reports said the vessel caught fire after the strike. However, details about the tanker’s identity, ownership and the extent of the damage were not immediately clear.

There was no immediate confirmation of the incident from the United States Department of Defense or other US authorities.

The reported attack comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States, following recent military exchanges involving Iran and Israel.

The Persian Gulf and nearby shipping lanes have seen increased security concerns in recent days as commercial vessels navigate through one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

Energy analysts have warned that any disruption in the region could affect global oil supplies, as a significant portion of the world’s crude oil exports pass through the Gulf and the nearby Strait of Hormuz.

Shipping and maritime authorities were monitoring the situation as more information about the incident continued to emerge.

Officials said independent verification of the Iranian claims was still pending.