The Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced this Thursday that two oil tankers have been forced to turn back after a fire broke out on one of them while trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz via an "unsafe" route located to the south, with support from the United States.
According to the message disseminated via Telegram by Iranian forces, the fire originated after the ships deviated from the maritime corridor set by Tehran. However, no information has been provided about the flag, the operator of the tankers, or whether there have been any casualties on board.
The Revolutionary Guard has insisted that the Strait of Hormuz is "Iranian territory" and has emphasized that its forces "maintain control of the entire maritime route." It has also warned that "the interference of foreign agents coming from thousands of kilometers away will not be allowed."
In this regard, it has suggested that the "aggressor" could be "punished" this very Thursday, hinting at possible new actions against U.S. interests and facilities in the area.
Iranian authorities have added that the strategic passage will remain closed "as long as the threats and provocative rhetoric" from the United States continue, which they accuse of trying to "intercede" in regional naval activities. "Their actions will only worsen the situation," they concluded.