On Thursday, Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced the targeting of an American oil tanker in the northern part of the Gulf, claiming that the vessel was engulfed in flames following the attack. In a statement released by official media, the Guard stated that during times of war, passage through the Strait of Hormuz would remain under the control of the Islamic Republic, threatening to target any American, European, or Israeli ships detected in the strait. This escalation comes just days after Iran officially announced the closing of the strait on February 28, and follows President Donald Trump's announcement that U.S. naval forces would escort oil tankers if deemed necessary.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which approximately 20 million barrels of oil transit daily, and as tensions escalate, the region appears to be entering a crucial phase of direct confrontation that poses a significant threat to global energy supplies. Furthermore, it was revealed that just two days prior, the Revolutionary Guard had targeted over ten oil tankers using various munitions, causing significant disruptions due to their failure to comply with repeated warnings that the strait was "unsafe."

This incident marks the sixth consecutive day of the Israeli-American campaign against Iran, resulting in hundreds of casualties, including high-profile individuals. The ongoing hostilities in the region signal a volatile situation that could have far-reaching implications for international relations and global oil markets, as the unrest could further complicate energy supplies and prices worldwide.