US military attacks merchant ship in Gulf of Oman

The US military says it fired shots at a merchant ship traveling in the Gulf of Oman. Accordingly, the ship tried to leave an Iranian port after a stop and ignored several warnings, said the US military command responsible for the region. The ship sailed under the flag of the Caribbean island state of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The USA has maintained a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz for months as part of the war against Iran. The sea route connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. With the blockade, the USA wants to prevent ships from entering and leaving Iranian ports.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard also reported further incidents in the Strait of Hormuz. Two tankers tried to cross the sea route on unauthorized routes. The ships hit mines and caught fire. However, the Revolutionary Guard did not provide any further information about the origin of the tankers or the extent of possible damage.

Iran claims control of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks ships that the country accuses of passing through without its authorization.