IRGC Forces US Troops to Retreat from Strait of Hormuz After Attack on Iranian Ship: Iran Media

Teheran: According to Press TV, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that US forces stationed in the Oman Sea had to retreat after opening fire on an Iranian merchant ship.

Press TV, citing Mehr news agency, reported that US forces operating in the region targeted an Iranian merchant ship in an attempt to force it to return to Iranian territorial waters.

The action came amid broader maritime tensions regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the movement of international shipping vessels, according to the report. It was added that the US move was linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the return of Indian and British merchant ships, as well as control measures carried out by the Revolutionary Guard. However, according to Press TV, it was emphasized that the Americans had to retreat and leave the region after the “timely presence and rapid response” of the Revolutionary Guard naval units supporting the Iranian ship.

The report also stated that the United States announced a naval blockade of Iran after failing to achieve the military objectives it defined as a war of joint aggression with Israel that started in late February. It was stated that the blockade was implemented in response to Iran’s restrictions on passage through the Strait of Hormuz, an important global energy route that accounts for a significant part of the world’s oil supply. Iran had briefly eased restrictions on non-hostile commercial shipping in the Bosphorus on Friday as part of efforts to negotiate a permanent end to the conflict, Press TV reported. However, the Revolutionary Guard Navy said on Saturday that Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the United States allegedly continued the blockade of Iranian ports in violation of the two-week ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on April 8. “However, due to the violation of the ceasefire conditions and because the American adversary did not lift the naval blockade of Iranian ships and ports, the Strait of Hormuz was closed as of this evening until this blockade is lifted.” he said.

Earlier on Sunday, Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian Armed Forces stopped and turned back two oil tankers flying Botswana and Angolan flags in the Strait of Hormuz.