- Two Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz without warning
- The tanker was approached 37 kilometers northeast of Oman, but is safe now
- Iran reimposed strict control over the Strait of Hormuz, blocking transit again
Two Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after Iran reversed course on reopening the waterway and reimposed restrictions on the strait, a day after US President Donald Trump said he will continue its naval blockade in "full force".
The incidents were reported in waters between the Qeshm and Larak islands. The vessels turned back without completing the crossing, Reuters reported.
The captain of the tanker reported that two gunboats of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps approached it, and without any radio warning, the gunboats "then fired upon the tanker", said the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre in a statement.
Read | Iran Shuts Hormuz Again, Accuses US Of Violating Deal To Reopen It
The tanker was approached by the gunboats 37 kilometres northeast of Oman. However, the tanker and crew are safe, and the incident is under investigation by authorities.
Meanwhile, merchant vessels trying to cross the Strait received radio messages from the Iranian navy saying that they were not allowed to pass because of the "failure of the US government" to fulfil its commitment in the negotiation.
"Attention all ships, regarding the failure of the U.S. government to fulfil its commitment in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality is allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz," the radio message said.
Iran Blocks Strait Of Hormuz Again
Iran's joint military command said on Saturday that "control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state ... under strict management and control of the armed forces". It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect.
"Until the United States restores freedom of movement for all vessels visiting Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain strictly controlled," it said.
The announcement came after Trump said that despite Iran's decision to reopen the strait on Friday, the American blockade would remain fully in place until Tehran reaches a deal with Washington, including on its nuclear programme.
Read | Iran Says It Will Shut Hormuz If US Blockade Continues: Top Developments
According to Xinhua news agency, vessel tracking data showed that around 10 ships turned back on Saturday while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's renewed control over the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz is the chokepoint that carries around a fifth of the world's oil supply. Its closure for nearly two months amid the Iran war affected crude oil prices and supply across many countries.
(With inputs from agencies)
