The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran attacked two merchant ships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz with missiles, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on July 7 (local time), citing a senior U.S. official.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) of the British Royal Navy, the attack occurred on the morning of the same day, 15 kilometers east of Lima, Oman.
A tanker sailing southward was struck on its port side by an unidentified projectile, causing a fire, but no casualties or environmental pollution have been reported.
Although the UKMTO did not disclose information about the tanker, the vessel is presumed to be the Al Rekayyat, an LNG carrier owned by a shipping subsidiary of Qatar's state-run liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.
This attack is seen as an example that the Revolutionary Guard is maintaining a hardline stance even after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end hostilities.
Recently, the Revolutionary Guard has criticized negotiations with the U.S. and threatened merchant ships, telling them not to use the routes designated by the U.S. military near the coast of Oman.
The attack also took place on the fourth day of the funeral proceedings for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who died in late February following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.
According to a recording obtained by the WSJ, the Revolutionary Guard recently warned via maritime radio communication, "Our missiles and drones are ready to be launched at any time."
(Photo: Yonhap News)