Iranian Guards Claim Hit on Super‑tanker in Hormuz Strait

Iran's Revolutionary Guards navy announced on Monday that it struck a super‑tanker attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, causing the vessel to blaze. The statement, posted on the Guards' Sepah News platform, said the ship had turned off its identification transponder and ignored prior warnings from Iranian forces. Naval commander Ali Ozmaei had warned earlier that any craft disabling its transponder to avoid detection would be deemed hostile and would meet a severe response. Iran has maintained a blockade of the Hormuz waterway since U.S. and Israeli strikes in February sparked a wider regional war. The United States has responded with a counter‑blockade, deploying its navy to escort commercial traffic through the strait. Since the conflict began, Iranian forces have repeatedly engaged ships that attempt to pass without Iranian permission. The latest incident adds to a series of confrontations that threaten global oil flows through the narrow channel. ## Context The strait is a choke point for a large share of the world’s petroleum shipments; any disruption can raise fuel prices worldwide. Iran’s current strategy aims to pressure rivals by tightening control over this vital route, while the U.S. seeks to keep the passage open for international trade.