Rising Tensions Between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea

SadaNews - On Tuesday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that speedboats belonging to the "Revolutionary Guard" chased an American oil tanker in an attempt to stop it while it was crossing from the entry path to the Strait of Hormuz, in an incident that comes amid escalating tensions in the region.

This comes at a time when an American military source confirmed the downing of an Iranian drone that approached an American aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea.

The agency clarified that it received a report about an incident that occurred in the designated part for vessels entering the strait, where several armed small boats from the "Revolutionary Guard" attempted to communicate with the ship via radio about 16 nautical miles north of Oman, directing requests for it to stop. It added that the vessel ignored the calls and continued to sail on its planned course, and that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the incident.

In a separate statement, the British maritime security company "Vanguard Tech" reported that six Iranian warboats approached an American oil tanker as it crossed the strait, identifying it as the "Stena Imperative," which flies the U.S. flag. The company noted that the boats issued a call via the marine communication channel, ordering the captain of the tanker to stop the engines and prepare for inspection.

"Vanguard Tech" reported that the tanker increased its speed and continued on its course while an American warship assumed its escort. Iranian authorities did not immediately comment on this information, and the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency did not name the ship or the entity that attempted to intercept it, only stating that the incident is under investigation.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critically important maritime passage, linking the Arabian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, through which large quantities of oil and liquefied natural gas exports pass.

Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq, which are members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), export most of their oil production through this passage, primarily to Asian markets.

Iran has previously detained three ships, two in 2023 and one in 2024, either near or within the strait. Some of these operations followed similar American actions targeting oil tankers linked to Iran, according to previous reports.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency has advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity, amid increasing focus on navigation security in this vital passage. It stated that the incident was reported in the early morning hours, without recording any damages or injuries.

This comes in the context of escalating regional tensions between the United States and Iran, amid mutual warnings and increasing military presence. Former President Donald Trump had hinted at the possibility of a military strike against Tehran, while the latter vowed to respond. The Iranian newspaper "Javan" affiliated with the "Revolutionary Guard" reported last week that the Islamic Republic is "ready for a broad response" that may include the Strait of Hormuz.