Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Monday that it struck an oil tanker accused of transiting the Strait of Hormuz “illegally.”
According to the IRGC statement, the Athena Nova, an oil tanker linked to US allies, was hit by two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), causing a fire onboard.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global trade route, handling about one-fifth of the world’s oil and large volumes of liquefied natural gas from Qatar and the UAE. Roughly 20 million barrels of oil, or 20% of global daily consumption, pass through the corridor.
The attack follows a US and Israeli offensive on Iran on Saturday that killed several senior Iranian figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In response, Iran launched drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and sites hosting US military assets, escalating tensions across the Middle East.
