Iran Says It Struck And Detained An Oil Tanker In Strait Of Hormuz Over ‘Illegal’ Passage

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said that they struck and detained a Togo-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, September 18.

The Guards said the tanker, Trend, was trying to pass through the waterway without permission. They said the vessel was targeted after a fire broke out on board late Thursday.

Iran called the passage an “illegal” attempt. Its state media also reported that the Guards’ navy had warned ships trying to pass through the strait without authorisation that they would face “destruction”.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a separate incident involving a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

UKMTO said a ship was hit by an “unknown projectile” while sailing out of the strait early Friday. The hit caused a fire, but the fire was put out. The crew was reported safe.

It was not clear whether the ship mentioned by UKMTO was the same vessel reported by Iran.

Iran has controlled much of the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Feb. 28.

The Islamic Republic has said it wants to charge ships for passing through the waterway. It has also attacked vessels that it says are trying to avoid its preferred route.

The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for oil shipping. Any restrictions on ships using the waterway can therefore affect companies moving oil through the region.

The United States is continuing its counter-blockade of Iranian ports during the Middle East war. Washington has also imposed new sanctions aimed at putting more pressure on Iran’s economy.

South Korea said it was considering expanding a naval operation in the Gulf of Aden. The aim would be to protect South Korean ships and oil shipping routes.

The country said it would not send troops to take part in the war with Iran.

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi said his government was offering possible military and commercial access to its Gulf of Aden coast in return.

Abdullahi made the comments after meetings with U.S. officials and lawmakers. He said opening a U.S. diplomatic post in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, or in Berbera was a priority.

Berbera is a major port near the entrance to the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The port has played a critical role in the U.S. war with Iran, according to the supplied material.

Several U.S. lawmakers have called on the Trump administration to recognise Somaliland as an independent country. Their calls came particularly after Israel recognised Somaliland earlier this year.

The Trump administration still recognises Somalia’s territorial integrity, which includes Somaliland.

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Tehran in the largest show of support for the Iranian government since the war began in February.

People at the rally pledged to take up arms as “Janfaday-e Iran”, meaning those who sacrifice their lives for Iran.

Some people trampled on U.S. and Israeli flags. Others chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”.

Iran’s government has been calling for national unity as its economy faces more pressure.

The pressure comes from a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and new U.S. sanctions aimed at increasing the economic pressure on Tehran.

References: CNA, AP News