Iran Claims Attack on Tanker Amid Hormuz Tensions

Iran says it struck an oil tanker trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz, while hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Tehran in the largest show of support for the government since the United States and Israel launched attacks in February.

Meanwhile, South Korea says it is considering expanding a naval operation in the Gulf of Aden to protect its ships and oil-shipping routes, but it will not send troops to intervene in the Iran war. Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Friday.

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Iran says it struck an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz Iran said it struck the Togo-flagged oil tanker Trend over what it described as an “illegal attempt” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday night, according to the state broadcaster, which cited the Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the report.

The Guard’s navy warned that vessels attempting to pass through the strait without authorization would face “destruction,” the broadcaster said.

Tehran has asserted control over much of the waterway since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28.

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which alerts about attacks or military operations, said another tanker was struck Wednesday by an “unknown projectile” while transiting out of the strait, with the crew reported safe.

No other details were available. Shipping continues after Houthis take islands Container ships and oil tankers continued to transit the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they are only targeting Saudi-linked vessels.

But a dip in traffic has been reported over the last week after a lightning advance by Houthis on islands in the waterway.

About 26-35 vessels per day have transited this week, down from the 35-40 daily average of the prior eight weeks, according to Dimitris Ampatzidis, Maritime Risk & Compliance Manager at Kpler. (AP/RSS)