Source: Cailian Press
Author: Shi Zhengzhi
① A senior Iranian military officer stated on Thursday that Iran has not actually closed the Strait of Hormuz and is handling vessels passing through the strait in accordance with relevant international rules and established agreements;
② Subsequently, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had hit a U.S. oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf; the organization emphasized that military and commercial vessels belonging to the United States, Israel, European countries, and their supporters are strictly prohibited from navigating in this area.
According to reports from CCTV News, Xinhua News Agency, and other media outlets, news regarding whether the Strait of Hormuz remains open spread widely among traders in the early afternoon of Thursday, Beijing time.
The first piece of news to attract attention was the statement by Amir Heidari, deputy commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, during an interview on the morning of the 5th local time, indicating that Iran has not truly closed the Strait of Hormuz.
Heidari further explained that since the Strait of Hormuz is located at the center of the combat zone, it could be said that 'it is the Americans who have blockaded the Strait of Hormuz.' He also noted that Iran is exercising its maritime sovereignty in the Strait of Hormuz, handling vessels passing through in accordance with relevant international rules and established agreements, and intercepting only 'warships disguised as merchant ships.'
Public information shows that the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters is the joint operations command of Iran’s armed forces, subordinate to the General Staff, responsible for coordinating joint operations between Iran's regular army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Prior to his current role, Heidari served as the commander of Iran's Army.
While this news caused significant fluctuations in the energy, chemicals, and oil and gas equipment sectors, another report emerged stating that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had 'hit a U.S. oil tanker' in the northern Persian Gulf.
According to reports, naval fighter jets of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missiles at the U.S. oil tanker, hitting and setting it ablaze.
In its statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps indicated that Iran had previously declared that, in accordance with relevant international laws and resolutions during wartime, the passage rules of the Strait of Hormuz would be under Iran's control.
The statement further noted that military and commercial vessels belonging to the United States, Israel, European countries, and their supporters are strictly prohibited from navigating these waters. Once discovered, they will be subject to attack.
Details regarding the attacked tanker remain unclear, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has not disclosed specific information.
Earlier today, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an incident approximately 30 nautical miles southeast of Mubarak Al Kabeer Port in Kuwait. The tanker captain reported hearing and witnessing a massive explosion on the port side of the vessel, accompanied by crude oil leakage.
Regarding the aforementioned incident, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior stated that the explosion occurred “outside Kuwaiti territorial waters,” at least 60 kilometers away from Mubarak Al Kabeer Port.
According to the latest updates prior to publication, the maritime services division of Angola’s national oil company, Sonangol, reported that the tanker Sonangol Namibe experienced an explosion near the Iraqi coast, damaging one of its oil tanks. Additionally, the ship’s ballast tank (a compartment used to enhance vessel stability) is leaking. The company confirmed that the vessel was not carrying any cargo at the time of the incident.
The tanker attack also signifies the increasingly complex energy dynamics in the Gulf under the shadow of war.
Javier Blas, a renowned commodities columnist and co-author of 'The World for Sale: Money, Power and the Traders Who Barter Life,' commented on social media that if Iran (or some rogue armed group) begins attacking fully loaded crude oil tankers anywhere in the Persian Gulf, not just in the Strait of Hormuz, it could quickly lead to forced halts in oil production, as this move might prompt some countries to cease shipping exports.
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