The risk of a global maritime conflict escalated sharply on 5 March 2026, as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for a missile strike on an American oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf.
In a statement broadcast via state media, the IRGC asserted that the vessel was currently 'on fire' following the attack. This follows a direct warning that Iran now considers the Strait of Hormuz a restricted military zone. The IRGC declared that any commercial or military vessels belonging to the United States, Israel, or European nations would be 'struck by the help of God' if they attempt transit.
While the Pentagon has not yet confirmed a specific fire on a US-flagged vessel, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an explosion and oil spill involving a tanker 30 nautical miles southeast of Kuwait at 22:40 GMT on 4 March. These developments mark the first major Iranian retaliation since the start of the 2026 Iran war and have intensified World War 3 fears.
#BREAKING| IRGC claims attacking US oil tanker in northern Persian GulfIran: We have the right to control passage through HormuzIran: Will target US, Israel, European ships in the region@ShivanChananajoins@vidurkatwith more detailspic.twitter.com/2FTRXAmiPW
The current maritime crisis was triggered by the deadliest naval engagement between the US and Iran since the 1980s. On 4 March 2026, a US Navy nuclear-powered submarine fired a Mark 48 torpedo to sink the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in international waters approximately 40 miles off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka.
In a message carried by Iranian state media and reported byReuters, the IRGC said the tanker was hit by the 'naval forces of the Spaah' in the northern Persian Gulf and was 'currently on fire.'
The statement asserted that, 'during a time of war,' transit rules through the Strait of Hormuz would be set by Iran, and warned that military and commercial vessels 'belonging to the United States, the Zionist regime, European countries, and their supporters' would not be allowed to pass.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it has hit a U.S. tanker in the northern part of the Persian Gulf and the ship is on firepic.twitter.com/jkjyB08lSc
The threat was explicit, with the IRGC adding that any such vessel detected would 'certainly be struck by the help of God.'
A separate report, carried in an Israeli outlet's live updates, said the Iranian claim 'may be linked' to a tanker attack off Kuwait cited by the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre.
Source: International Business Times UK
