Report: Iran’s IRGC hit 7 ‘violating’ oilers in Hormuz Strait in 5 days
The navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps targeted at least seven “violating” oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz over five days, according to the semi-official Fars news agency, which cited the independent military observer MenchOsint for reports that two tankers exploded on Friday and that two Kuwaiti and three United Arab Emirates vessels were struck over the preceding four days. Indian officials said five Indian nationals were rescued after the Kuwait-flagged tanker Kazimah III was struck by a projectile in the strait. Separately, the CEO of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, Mohammad-Reza Modarres Khiabani, said Iran will pursue in international courts the US boarding and seizure of the Iranian-flagged container ship Touska off Chabahar port on April 19, which he described as a war crime.
Why it matters: The reported strikes and Iran’s legal challenge over the Touska bear on maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and on the durability of the April ceasefire.