DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran tried to grab two oil tankers close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday, firing photographs at considered one of them, the U.S. Navy stated.

It stated that in each instances, the Iranian naval vessels backed off after the U.S. Navy responded to misery indicators and that each industrial ships continued their voyages.

“The Iranian navy did make attempts to seize commercial tankers lawfully transiting international waters,” stated Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, spokesman for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. “The U.S. Navy responded immediately and prevented those seizures.”

He stated the gunfire directed on the second vessel didn't trigger casualties or main injury.

The U.S. Navy says Iran has seized not less than 5 industrial vessels within the final two years and has harassed a number of others. Many of the incidents have occurred in and across the Strait of Hormuz, the slender mouth of the Persian Gulf via which 20% of all crude oil passes.

There was no fast Iranian touch upon the most recent incidents.

U.S.-Iranian tensions have steadily risen because the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from Iran’s 2015 nuclear settlement with world powers and restored crippling sanctions. Iran has responded by ramping up its nuclear actions - which it says are purely peaceable - and can be offering armed drones to Russia for its warfare in opposition to Ukraine.

Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com