Iran’s IRGC sinks US-flagged tanker in Persian Gulf

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) struck the oil tanker, Safe Sia, on March 12 at dawn in the northern part of the Persian Gulf, which is registered under the Marshall Islands flag and owned by the United States.

The strike occurred after the tanker allegedly ignored warnings and instructions from Iran’s naval forces, the ISNA News Agency reports, citing the IRGC press service.

The statement emphasised that all oil tankers and vessels transiting the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz must consider elevated risks stemming from regional tensions and comply with existing transit regulations for their own safety.

These security measures are implemented under the military conditions declared by Iran and aim to prevent incidents along strategically important maritime routes, according to the IRGC.

By Jeyhun Aghazada