File image.
Iran has launched multiple anti-ship cruise missiles from Sirik County, striking an oil tanker off the coast of Oman, Gulf News reported on August 10.
The vessel was transiting the United States-sponsored southern shipping corridor of the Strait of Hormuz and is said to be “on fire”, reports circulating on social media claimed overnight.
The news outlet said that the attack was first reported on the X social network a little over an hour after midnight. Some secondary posts describe the tanker being hit by “multiple missiles,” with one account claiming four. Videos purported to show the targeted tanker on fire were also shared.
The secondary posts noted possible additional targeting of another commercial vessel, along with unconfirmed reports of a U.S. MQ-9 combat drone being downed over southern Iran.
The reports on the attack are yet to be verified by official sources such as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), U.S. Central Command, or major news agencies.
There have also been no details regarding the tanker’s identity, flag, ownership, cargo, crew status, or the extent of any damage or casualties.
The reported attack comes just two days after a tanker of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was struck near the Strait of Hormuz. ADNOC confirmed the attack later, and the United Arab Emirates held Iran responsible, issuing a strong condemnation.
Amid the reports of the attack in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran said that negotiations with Oman regarding the waterway are progressing “smoothly and constructively.”
“An understanding has been reached about the shipping traffic map and consultations are continuing to finalize some technical points in the joint statement,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a weekly news conference, as cited by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
He said mechanisms will be established to ensure safe maritime traffic, protect the environment and address “maritime crimes.”
“It has also been emphasized that for the provision of maritime services to vessels, related costs and fees are charged,” he added.
The spokesman said the primary objective of the ongoing talks “is to reach a lasting understanding that ensures complete security in the strait.”
Discussions with Oman “is just a bilateral process to determine the safe route of international shipping and has nothing to do with political differences,” he added.
Baqaei also asserted that the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the U.S. meets Iran’s demands, including an end to its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
If confirmed, the latest attack is not likely to hinder the ongoing talks. The attack may have been carried out by Iran to demonstrate its tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz, and to further pressure the U.S. Still, the attack could lead to a limited clash in the waterway.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
usa is preparing an invasion force…tehran will fall soon…heheheh