The U.S. Navy reported Wednesday that it successfully prevented Iran from seizing two oil tankers in international waters off the coast of Oman.
According to information provided by the U.S. Navy, Iran’s first attempt occurred at 1 a.m. (local time) when it approached a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker. However, they left the scene when a U.S. missile destroyer arrived.
About three hours later, the U.S. Navy received a distress call from a Bahamas-flagged tanker Richmond Voyager. “Another Iranian naval vessel had closed within one mile of Richmond Voyager while hailing the commercial tanker to stop,” the statement said, highlighting that Iran even fired several shots in an attempt to commandeer the vessel. But once again, the U.S. Navy arrived in time to prevent it.
The Navy assured that there were no casualties to the crew of the Richmond Voyager, although several shots managed to hit the hull of the ship near its living spaces.
US Navy stops Iran from seizing two oil tankers in Gulf of Omanhttps://t.co/OAtFp0fH1t
— Veteran Owned (@VeteranOwned) July 5, 2023
“I couldn’t be prouder of the entire team(...) We remain vigilant and ready to protect navigational rights in these critical waters,” said Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
Nearly 20 ships attacked by Iran
According to the Navy report, since 2021 alone, the Iranian Navy has tied up or seized nearly two dozen merchant ships flying international flags, “posing a clear threat to regional maritime security and the global economy.”
In April of this same year, the Navy reported that the Iranian Navy succeeded in raiding a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker bound for the United States. The vessel was in international waters, and although it sent a distress signal, U.S. authorities did not arrive in time.
The United States now rotates ships and aircraft more regularly to patrol the Strait of Hormuz.
