US-Flagged Tanker Challenged by Iranian Gunboats in Strait of Hormuz
A US-flagged tanker was approached and challenged by Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, a British maritime security firm reported.
The tanker, Stena Imperative, was confronted by three pairs of small armed boats while transiting the strategic waterway, approximately 16 nautical miles north of Oman, according to Vanguard Tech. The gunboats hailed the tanker by radio, instructing the captain “to stop the engines and prepare to be boarded.” The ship, however, maintained its course and increased speed, avoiding entry into Iranian territorial waters.
Vanguard Tech confirmed that the vessel is now under the escort of a US warship.
Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the incident but did not specify the nationalities of the vessel or the approaching boats.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments and has been the site of multiple confrontations in recent years. Last week, a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval official warned that Iran could block the strait if the US launches any military action.
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