Iranian Navy Forces US Tanker to Turn Around Near Strait of Hormuz
A tanker attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz with its radar system disabled was reportedly forced to turn back by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. The incident, reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Thursday, May 28, occurred near the strategic waterway.
According to Tasnim, citing military sources familiar with the matter, IRGC naval forces responded swiftly to the vessel, firing warning shots that compelled it to retreat. The news agency linked the incident to a prior explosion heard near the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, where Iranian media had reported air defenses being activated.
Tasnim stated that the incident resulted in no casualties or material damage.
This report comes as a US official confirmed to Anadolu Agency that the United States conducted another round of airstrikes in southern Iran, neutralizing four Iranian one-way attack drones that posed a threat near the Strait of Hormuz. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity on Wednesday, May 27, revealed that US forces also struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch a fifth drone.
“These actions were measured, purely defensive, and intended to maintain the ceasefire,” the official added, as reported by Antara.
Regional tensions have been on the rise since February, following attacks launched by the US and Israel against Iran. Tehran retaliated with strikes targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf, coinciding with a closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, came into effect on April 8 and was later extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump.
Summary
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy reportedly forced a U.S. tanker to turn back near the Strait of Hormuz after the vessel was detected with its radar system disabled. According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iranian forces fired warning shots to compel the ship to retreat, resulting in no casualties or physical damage. This incident coincides with reports of air defense activity near the port city of Bandar Abbas.
Simultaneously, a U.S. official confirmed that American forces conducted defensive airstrikes in southern Iran, neutralizing four attack drones and a ground control station. These military actions occurred amidst heightened regional tensions following exchanges between Iran, the U.S., and Israel. Despite these recent hostilities, a ceasefire brokered by Pakistan remains in effect after being indefinitely extended by U.S. leadership.