Iran says US tanker on fire in Gulf

Iranian state television has reported that its naval forces attacked a US tanker this morning in the northern Gulf. According to a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) broadcasted on state TV, the tanker was “hit by a missile in the north of the Persian Gulf” and is “currently on fire.” The IRGC also claimed that they have “full control” over the Straits of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf to the Indian Ocean. This event has not yet been verified by independent sources. Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Organisation (MTO) reported that a tanker was struck near Kuwait this morning in the northern Gulf. They noted, “The master of a tanker at anchor reported seeing and hearing a large explosion on the port side, followed by a small craft leaving the area.” The report mentioned that there is oil in the water from a cargo tank, which could harm the environment. The vessel has taken on water, but there are no fires reported and the crew is safe and unharmed.