Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims attack on US tanker in the Persian Gulf

On Thursday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards issued a statement through state media claiming they had struck a U.S. tanker in the northern part of the Persian Gulf, leaving the vessel on fire. There has been no immediate independent confirmation of this attack. This report follows a similar, unconfirmed claim made by Iran earlier in the week. The Revolutionary Guards also declared that during wartime, the Strait of Hormuz will be under the control of the Islamic Republic. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint through which approximately twenty percent of the world's daily oil supply transits. In response to rising regional tensions, the United States announced plans earlier this week to secure the waterway to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels. The declaration from Iran marks a significant escalation in the ongoing maritime conflict. The international community has yet to verify the specific details regarding the alleged tanker strike.