The US Navy said in a statement Wednesday that it had stopped Iran from seizing two commercial oil tankers off the coast of Oman after multiple shots were fired at one of the targeted tankers.
An Iranian ship sank the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker TRF Moss at 1 a.m. local time Wednesday, but escaped when the US 5th Fleet’s guided-missile destroyer McFaul arrived on the scene. Said in a statement. Three hours later, the McFaul received another distress call in the same area from the Bahamas-flagged oil tanker Richmond Voyager and was pursued by another Iranian naval vessel, carrying “both small arms and weapons used by the crew. It is said to have fired multiple, long-lasting bursts from the Fifth Fleet.
A statement said the McFall was sailing at “maximum speed” toward the Richmond Voyager. A second Iranian ship came within a mile of the target. (Related: Iran accuses US submarine of threatening territorial waters, claims navy forced it to surface)
“The Richmond Voyager suffered no casualties or serious damage. ‘ said the statement. Both incidents occurred on the high seas near Oman.
“I couldn’t be more proud” [U.S. Naval Forces Central Command] We thank the team, especially the McFol crew, for their immediate response and extraordinary efforts in further seizure prevention,” said Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander, U.S. Navy Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet. “We remain vigilant and stand ready to protect our rights of navigation in these critical waters.”
US oil giant Chevron took control of the Richmond Voyager and confirmed that the tanker acted according to procedures and that the crew survived the accident without danger. according to to Reuters.
The Tehran authorities Admitted Or reacted to the incident, the media reported.
Surveillance drones and aircraft, including the MQ-9 Reaper maritime patrol plane and the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol plane, supported the operation, the statement said.
On July 5, U.S. forces thwarted an attempt by the Iranian navy to seize a commercial tanker after Iranian gunfire was fired near the coast of Oman. Both of these accidents occurred on the high seas. Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/HJNTzKtsXv pic.twitter.com/rvzDcATCQq
— US Navy Central Command / US Fifth Fleet (@US5thFleet) July 5, 2023
“Since 2021, Iran has harassed, attacked and seized about 20 internationally flagged merchant ships, posing a clear threat to regional maritime security and the global economy,” the Fifth Fleet said.
According to Reuters, Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in June. The seizure comes after U.S. and partner naval forces stepped up patrols in the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran, which is the gateway to about one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supply.
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