Iran Says Togo-Flagged Oil Tanker Trend Hit and Detained in Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy says it hit and detained the Togo-flagged oil tanker Trend in the Strait of Hormuz after the vessel attempted to pass through what Iranian authorities described as an illegal route.

According to a statement carried by Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the tanker caught fire during the incident and was subsequently stopped. The IRGC said the vessel had attempted to cross the strategic waterway after being “incited and deceived” by the US military.

IRGC Warns Ships Over Hormuz Passage

IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei said Iranian forces continued to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz and warned that vessels attempting to use routes designated as illegal would face action.

The incident comes amid severe disruption to shipping through the strategic waterway, with Iran imposing restrictions on maritime traffic during the conflict.

UK Maritime Authority Reports Security Incident

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a security incident in the Strait of Hormuz approximately 16 nautical miles, or nearly 30 kilometres, northeast of Khasab, Oman. The crew was reported safe, but UKMTO did not identify the vessel or provide details about the incident.

The maritime authority said the incident was under investigation and advised ships operating in the area to proceed with caution.

Link Between Two Incidents Not Confirmed

The timing and location of the two reports have raised the possibility that they could involve the same vessel.

However, there has been no independent confirmation that the UKMTO security incident involved the Trend tanker. The IRGC did not provide the tanker’s exact location, cargo details or information about possible casualties.

US officials have also not immediately confirmed the Iranian account.

Hormuz Shipping Falls Sharply

Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has already fallen well below normal levels.

Reuters reported that only four commodity vessels crossed the waterway on Thursday, compared with a 10-day average of around 16 vessels per day, according to ship-tracking data.

The Strait is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, and prolonged disruption could create further uncertainty for global oil supplies and energy prices.

The reported incident involving the Trend tanker adds to growing maritime risks in the region as Iran, the United States and other regional actors remain locked in a wider military confrontation.