In the early hours of Wednesday, Iran made an attempt to seize two oil tankers near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. The US&nbsp;Navy reported that one of the tankers was fired upon by Iranian naval vessels. However, in both incidents, the Iranian vessels retreated after the US&nbsp;Navy dispatched a guided missile destroyer to the scene. The commercial ships were able to continue their voyages without further disruption.&nbsp;

This latest saga comes as tensions between Iran and the United States have been on the rise since the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimposed severe sanctions on Iran.&nbsp;

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Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, the spokesperson for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, confirmed that the Iranian Navy tried to seize the commercial tankers while they were lawfully transiting international waters. “The Iranian Navy did make attempts to seize commercial tankers lawfully transiting international waters,” he said adding, “The US&nbsp;Navy responded immediately and prevented those seizures.”

As of now, there has been no immediate comment from Iran regarding the incident.&nbsp;

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According to the US Navy, the first incident occurred when an Iranian naval vessel approached the TRF Moss, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, in the Gulf of Oman at approximately 1 am. In response, the US deployed the USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, along with an MQ-9 Reaper drone and a P-8 Poseidon patrol plane.

Approximately three hours later, the US Navy received a distress call from the Richmond Voyager, an oil tanker flying the Bahamian flag, located over 20 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat, Oman's capital.&nbsp;

The navy reported that another Iranian naval vessel closed in on the tanker within a mile and ordered it to stop.

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The US destroyer swiftly approached the tanker at maximum speed, the Navy said.&nbsp;Prior to the arrival of the USS McFaul, Iranian personnel fired multiple sustained bursts from small arms and crew-served weapons, according to the US Navy's statement.

<h2>Iran's history of naval provocations</h2>

The US Navy has noted that Iran has seized at least five commercial vessels in the past two years and has harassed over a dozen others.&nbsp;

Many of these incidents have taken place in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage through which 20 per cent of the world's crude oil is transported.

Previous incidents include an April raid by Iranian navy commandos who seized a US-bound oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. Iranian state TV aired footage of the operation, claiming the seizure was in response to a collision with another Iranian vessel.&nbsp;

However, Iran provided no evidence to support its claim. Iran has previously used the seizure of commercial vessels as a bargaining tool in negotiations with the West.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the early hours of Wednesday, Iran made an attempt to seize two oil tankers near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. The US Navy reported that one of the tankers was fired upon by Iranian naval vessels.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Iran made an attempt to seize two oil tankers near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. The US Navy reported that one of the tankers was fired upon by Iranian naval vessels. However, in both incidents, the Iranian vessels retreated after the US Navy dispatched a guided missile destroyer to the scene. The commercial ships were able to continue their voyages without further disruption. This latest saga comes as tensions between Iran and the United States have been on the rise since the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimposed severe sanctions on Iran. Also Read | Philadelphia gunman identified as gun-loving BLM supporter Kimbrady Carriker: Reports Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, the spokesperson for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, confirmed that the Iranian Navy tried to seize the commercial tankers while they were lawfully transiting international waters. “The Iranian Navy did make attempts to seize commercial tankers lawfully transiting international waters,” he said adding, “The US Navy responded immediately and prevented those seizures.” As of now, there has been no immediate comment from Iran regarding the incident. Also Read | One killed, two injured after multiple explosions rock Ukrainian court According to the US Navy, the first incident occurred when an Iranian naval vessel approached the TRF Moss, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, in the Gulf of Oman at approximately 1 am. In response, the US deployed the USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, along with an MQ-9 Reaper drone and a P-8 Poseidon patrol plane. Approximately three hours later, the US Navy received a distress call from the Richmond Voyager, an oil tanker flying the Bahamian flag, located over 20 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat, Oman's capital. The navy reported that another Iranian naval vessel closed in on the tanker within a mile and ordered it to stop. Watch | British children are shorter than their European peers , says experts × The US destroyer swiftly approached the tanker at maximum speed, the Navy said. Prior to the arrival of the USS McFaul, Iranian personnel fired multiple sustained bursts from small arms and crew-served weapons, according to the US Navy's statement. Iran's history of naval provocations The US Navy has noted that Iran has seized at least five commercial vessels in the past two years and has harassed over a dozen others. Many of these incidents have taken place in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage through which 20 per cent of the world's crude oil is transported. Previous incidents include an April raid by Iranian navy commandos who seized a US-bound oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. Iranian state TV aired footage of the operation, claiming the seizure was in response to a collision with another Iranian vessel. However, Iran provided no evidence to support its claim. Iran has previously used the seizure of commercial vessels as a bargaining tool in negotiations with the West. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Iran attempts to seize oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz, prompts US Navy response

Amid rising tensions with the west and the worst anti-government protests since the Iranian green movement, Iran's military tested new attack drones in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the Strategic Strait of Hormuz on Saturday as part of military drills conducted by Tehran.

Iran: Tests drones as part of military drills, conducts wargames near strategic strait of Hormuz

Tensions emerge in the Gulf after Iran seized a South Korean vessel at the Strait of Hormuz. South Korea sends delegation to Tehran but Iran is adamant on one demand. WION tells you what.

Iran demands release of assets in South Korea

According to the latest satellite images, Iran has moved a mock US aircraft carrier to the strategic state of Hormuz. Watch report.

Iran's target practice amid tensions? Iran moves mock US carrier at sea

Iran on Monday called attacks on ships in the Gulf "alarming", after the UAE and Saudi Arabia said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-saudi-tankers-came-under-sabotage-attack-off-uae-no-casualties-218248">several vessels including oil tankers were damaged</a> in acts of sabotage off the Emirati coast.

"The incidents in the Sea of Oman are alarming and regrettable," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in an English-language statement on the ministry's website, calling for a probe into the attacks and warning of "adventurism" by foreign players to disrupt maritime security.

On Sunday, the United Arab Emirates said that four commercial vessels of various nationalities had been targeted by acts of sabotage off the UAE port of Fujairah.

Saudi Arabia early Monday said two of its oil tankers were damaged.

Fujairah port is the only terminal in the UAE located on the Arabian Sea coast, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, a global shipping route through which most Gulf oil exports pass, and which Iran has repeatedly threatened to close in case of a military confrontation with the United States.

The incident comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States which has strengthened its military presence in the region, including deploying a number of strategic B-52 bombers in response to alleged threats from Tehran.

It also comes as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo scrapped a stop Monday in Moscow to visit Brussels instead for talks with European officials on Iran.

Mousavi "called for clarifications" concerning the "exact dimensions" of Sunday's attacks on ships in the Gulf, the foreign ministry's statement said.

He said such incidents would have a "negative impact... on shipping safety and maritime security" in the Gulf.

He also "warned against plots by ill-wishers to disrupt regional security" and "called for the vigilance of regional states in the face of any adventurism by foreign elements", the statement added.

Iran on Monday called attacks on ships in the Gulf "alarming", after the UAE and Saudi Arabia said several vessels including oil tankers were damaged in acts of sabotage off the Emirati coast.

Iran on Monday called attacks on ships in the Gulf "alarming", after the UAE and Saudi Arabia said several vessels including oil tankers were damaged in acts of sabotage off the Emirati coast. "The incidents in the Sea of Oman are alarming and regrettable," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in an English-language statement on the ministry's website, calling for a probe into the attacks and warning of "adventurism" by foreign players to disrupt maritime security. On Sunday, the United Arab Emirates said that four commercial vessels of various nationalities had been targeted by acts of sabotage off the UAE port of Fujairah. Saudi Arabia early Monday said two of its oil tankers were damaged. Fujairah port is the only terminal in the UAE located on the Arabian Sea coast, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, a global shipping route through which most Gulf oil exports pass, and which Iran has repeatedly threatened to close in case of a military confrontation with the United States. The incident comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States which has strengthened its military presence in the region, including deploying a number of strategic B-52 bombers in response to alleged threats from Tehran. It also comes as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo scrapped a stop Monday in Moscow to visit Brussels instead for talks with European officials on Iran. Mousavi "called for clarifications" concerning the "exact dimensions" of Sunday's attacks on ships in the Gulf, the foreign ministry's statement said. He said such incidents would have a "negative impact... on shipping safety and maritime security" in the Gulf. He also "warned against plots by ill-wishers to disrupt regional security" and "called for the vigilance of regional states in the face of any adventurism by foreign elements", the statement added.

Iran calls ship attacks off UAE 'alarming', urges probe

Iran's top general warned Sunday Tehran could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route if it faces more "hostility", news agency ISNA said, as the US tightens up sanctions.&nbsp;

"We are not after closing the Strait of Hormuz but if the hostility of enemies increase, we will be able to do so," armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri told semi-official ISNA.

"Also if our oil does not go through the strait, other countries' oil will certainly not cross the strait, too," he added.&nbsp;

The statement came after Washington said on Monday it would start imposing sanctions on countries such as India, China and Turkey that buy Iranian oil.&nbsp;

Eight countries were initially given six-month reprieves after the United States reimposed sanctions on Iran in November, following President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a 2015 nuclear accord.&nbsp;

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned the Islamic republic could shut down the strait, a vital shipping lane for international oil supplies, should it find its national interests or security threatened.

"We believe Iran will continue to sell its oil ... (and) use the Strait of Hormuz. But if the United States takes the crazy measure of trying to prevent us from doing that, then it should be prepared for the consequences," foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday.

"It is in our vital national security interest to keep the Persian Gulf open, to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. We have done that in the past and we will continue to do that in the future," he added.

Iran's top general warned Sunday Tehran could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route if it faces more "hostility", news agency ISNA said, as the US tightens up sanctions.

Iran's top general warned Sunday Tehran could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route if it faces more "hostility", news agency ISNA said, as the US tightens up sanctions. "We are not after closing the Strait of Hormuz but if the hostility of enemies increase, we will be able to do so," armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri told semi-official ISNA. "Also if our oil does not go through the strait, other countries' oil will certainly not cross the strait, too," he added. The statement came after Washington said on Monday it would start imposing sanctions on countries such as India, China and Turkey that buy Iranian oil. Eight countries were initially given six-month reprieves after the United States reimposed sanctions on Iran in November, following President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a 2015 nuclear accord. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned the Islamic republic could shut down the strait, a vital shipping lane for international oil supplies, should it find its national interests or security threatened. "We believe Iran will continue to sell its oil ... (and) use the Strait of Hormuz. But if the United States takes the crazy measure of trying to prevent us from doing that, then it should be prepared for the consequences," foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday. "It is in our vital national security interest to keep the Persian Gulf open, to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. We have done that in the past and we will continue to do that in the future," he added.

Iran warns could shut Hormuz Strait if tensions grow

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