On the 14th, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) public relations
office said two foreign oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz ignored repeated
Iranian navigation warnings, entered relevant waters illegally and switched off
their navigation systems, posing a serious threat to navigation safety. The IRGC
navy, citing applicable laws and regulations, said it took necessary measures
and lawfully dealt with the vessels; the two tankers were attacked and
destroyed. Iran said security and openness of the Strait of Hormuz are vital to
global energy supplies, that it will continue to lawfully safeguard normal
passage and respond firmly to any illegal acts that threaten regional security.
Relevant Iranian authorities have launched an investigation and will release
further information in due course.
