The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has communicated this Sunday that it has carried out a new attack against an unmanned surface vehicle (USV, for its acronym in English) of the United States that was navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime route that Tehran considers under its control. With this operation, Iranian authorities raise the number of attacked American vessels to seven in the last 24 hours, in response to Washington's offensive against three Iranian oil tankers.
In its official note, the Revolutionary Guard has explained that "the heroic naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked an unmanned surface vehicle belonging to the U.S. military that was attempting to enter the protected area of the Strait of Hormuz," emphasizing that the incursion would have occurred in an area that Tehran considers especially sensitive.
The statement also issues a direct warning to the United States by stating that "any enemy movement will receive a strong response," referring to the attacks carried out by Washington on Saturday morning against three Iranian oil tankers. The Revolutionary Guard itself has admitted "damage" to these vessels, while the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported that one of the ships has sunk in the Gulf of Oman.
In light of this scenario, the Revolutionary Guard has reiterated its commitment to continue defending Iran's interests in the region and has warned that there will be new retaliatory actions if U.S. military operations or any other "hostility" continue in the strategic waters near the Strait of Hormuz.