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Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says that it struck two tankers trying to pass the Strait of Hormuz with aerial protection from the United States, and forced four others t
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In Short: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck two tankers escorted by the US military in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions as energy prices soar and midterm elections approach in the US.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Friday that they had struck two tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under US aerial protection, while four others altered course and returned to their original positions.
The IRGC stated that the ships had tried to pass through the strait via an 'undeclared route' and under US escort, prompting their action.
This incident follows a pattern of conflict between Iran and the US over shipping routes in the region, with both nations claiming ships should pass through specific routes and retaliating against those that do not comply.
The action comes as energy prices have risen due to ongoing tensions and as US President Donald Trump prepares to convene his cabinet to discuss the escalating war and its impact on global markets as midterm elections draw near.
Background
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and historically known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the northeast, Afghanistan to the east, Pakistan to the southeast, and the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to the south.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also known domestically as Sepah or Pasdaran and internationally as Iranian Revolutionary Guards, is a multi-service primary force of the Iranian Armed Forces. It consists of five service branches: Ground Forces, Aerospace Force, Navy, Quds Force, and Basij.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Energy prices have soared again since fighting between US and Iran resumed two weeks ago as conflict spreads across Middle East Energy prices have soared again since fighting between US and Iran resumed two weeks ago…
- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Friday that the “non-compliant oil tankers … were struck and brought to a halt, while four other oil tankers quickly changed course and returned to their previous…
- The military body said the ships had tried to pass through the strait via an “undeclared route” and under US aerial escort.
- Iran and the US have said ships should pass through the strait via two competing routes, with Iran bombing ships that take the southern route, close to the coast of Oman, and the US bombing ships that violate its…