The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency says it has received reports of shots fired at a tanker. According to the agency, the shooting was carried out by “two gunboats belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)” 20 nautical miles north-east of Oman.
UKMTO said in its advisory note that the captain of the tanker said that both the gunboats had started firing without any radio warning. The agency further said that the vessel and its crew were reported to be safe.
The incident came as Iran reimposed tough sanctions on ships trying to transit the strait in response to US President Donald Trump saying on Friday that a US blockade on ships using Iranian ports would continue.
Iran not ready to talk to America
Iran has not agreed to another round of talks with the US in Islamabad, semi-official news agency Tasnim reported, citing “relevant officials”. The report comes soon after Tehran announced that it was re-establishing its control over the Strait of Hormuz, which it had briefly opened, citing the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports.
‘America cannot impose its will’
Iran’s deputy foreign minister has said the US “cannot impose its will” and close the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This statement has come when Iran’s army has announced the closure of this waterway again.
“The Americans cannot impose a siege on Iran by imposing their will, while Iran is trying with good intentions to provide safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Saeed Khatibzadeh, speaking to reporters during an annual Turkish diplomatic forum held in the southern province of Antalya, said.