Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Wednesday to have targeted two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz as part of retaliatory operations, according to Iranian state media. The IRGC stated the attacks were in response to the U.S. destroying Iranian oil tankers.
U.K. Maritime Trade Operations reported receiving information about "disabling fire" affecting several merchant vessels in the region, though the nature and impact of these disturbances could not be immediately confirmed.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) denied the IRGC's assertions, stating that "no U.S. Navy warship has been struck" and that "all IRGC attempted attacks failed." A spokesperson for the U.S. defense force added, "The U.S. warship successfully evaded the attempted Iranian attacks and continued to patrol regional waters. No American personnel were harmed."
The heightened activity follows an announcement by CENTCOM on Tuesday that it had destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers. This action was taken in retaliation for Iran targeting U.S. Navy ships with ballistic missiles over the preceding two days.
Separately, a spokesperson for the Jordanian Armed Forces indicated that "20 ballistic missiles" had been launched toward Jordanian territory, contributing to the escalating hostilities in the region.