A United States-flagged tanker faced a challenge from Iranian gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to US Central Command. Two Iranian boats and a drone approached the US-flagged vessel M/V Stena Imperative at high speeds, threatening to board and seize the tanker, said CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins.
In response, the American destroyer USS McFaul, with support from the US Air Force, escorted the tanker to safety, as confirmed by Hawkins. The British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech earlier reported that the Stena Imperative encountered three pairs of small armed boats belonging to the Revolutionary Guards while passing through the strait, approximately 16 nautical miles (30 kilometers) north of Oman.
The armed boats radioed the tanker, instructing the captain to halt the engines and prepare for boarding. However, the Stena Imperative accelerated and maintained its course, without entering Iranian territorial waters, as emphasized by the firm. The British maritime security agency UKMTO initially reported the incident without specifying the nationality of the vessels involved.
Iranian news agency Fars mentioned a vessel, without specifying its nationality, illegally entering Iranian territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian units reportedly requested the vessel to provide necessary permissions, as it lacked legal authorization to be in those waters. Fars stated that the vessel was promptly warned and left Iranian waters.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas transportation, has witnessed multiple incidents previously. A high-ranking Iranian official from the naval forces of the Revolutionary Guards warned last week of blocking the passage in response to a potential US attack.
US President Donald Trump has issued threats of military action against Iran and deployed a fleet of warships to the Middle East following deadly crackdowns on anti-government protests in Iran. Despite expressing hopes for diplomatic resolutions with Tehran, Trump cautioned of consequences if an agreement is not reached. Iran maintains its stance on seeking diplomacy while vowing a firm response to any acts of aggression.
