Iran Attacks Maltese-Flagged Oil Tanker Near Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Maltese-flagged oil tanker named ‘Prima’ in the Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the IRGC, the oil tanker was targeted using drones while it was transiting through the Strait. The attack is the latest in a series of growing hostilities in the region, with tensions escalating between Iran and Western-aligned countries. Authorities have not yet confirmed the extent of the damage or casualties from the attack, but sources suggest that the tanker was struck near a vital shipping lane, which is crucial for global energy shipments.

The incident has drawn international concern, with ongoing security issues in the region intensifying fears of further instability. The Arab League is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday, March 8, where foreign ministers from Arab countries will discuss the recent Iranian attacks in the region. The session will focus on how to address the growing military activity and potential threats to the security of Arab territories from Iranian actions.

The Tasnim News Agency, a state-run news outlet in Iran, quoted the IRGC as saying that the attack was a response to the repeated violations of their territorial warnings, including the continuous disregard for Iran's warnings regarding the unsafety of the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC had previously warned of dangers in the area due to the ongoing military buildup and operations by foreign naval forces.