U.S. Navy Thwarts Iran’s Attempted Commandeering of Oil Tankers with Intense Gunfire

U.S. Navy Thwarts Iran’s Attempted Seizure of Commercial Oil Tankers off Oman

In a recent incident, the U.S. Navy successfully prevented Iran’s military from commandeering two commercial oil tankers off the coast of Oman. One of the attempted seizures involved intense gunfire, according to the Navy.

The incident occurred when Iranian personnel fired multiple, long bursts from small arms and crew-served weapons at a merchant ship identified as the Richmond Voyager. The gunfire targeted the ship’s hull near crew living spaces, triggering a distress call. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident. The Richmond Voyager, registered in the Bahamas, was heading towards the Arabian Sea at the time.

An American MQ-9 surveillance drone captured video footage of the Iranian warship’s encounter with the oil tanker. The footage released by the Navy shows multiple flashes popping near the Richmond Voyager, which officials described as “ricocheted rounds” above the commercial vessel. Additionally, the Navy released imagery showing ammunition fragments recovered from the Richmond Voyager.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations has not yet responded to the incident.

The Iranian military vessel positioned itself within a mile of the Richmond Voyager and ordered the commercial tanker to stop. In response, the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul was dispatched to the area, forcing the Iranian ship to flee.

The incident took place in international waters, more than 20 miles off the coast of Muscat, Oman’s capital. The Navy stated that the McFaul had responded to a similar incident involving another Iranian military vessel and a commercial oil tanker identified as the TRF Moss, which is registered in the Marshall Islands. Both incidents occurred in international waters.

U.S. military officials have increased the frequency of naval and air patrols in the region since May due to a rise in ship seizures by Iran. According to the Navy, Iran has harassed, attacked, or seized nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels since 2021, posing a clear threat to regional maritime security and the global economy.

The successful thwarting of Iran’s attempted seizure of the commercial oil tankers highlights the U.S. Navy’s commitment to maintaining maritime security in the region and protecting international trade routes.

How has the recent surge in ship seizures by Iran affected regional maritime security and the global economy?

Breaking News: U.S. Navy Foils Iran’s Bid to Seize Commercial Oil Tankers off Oman

In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. Navy has successfully intervened to prevent Iran’s military from commandeering two commercial oil tankers off the coast of Oman. The incident, which saw intense gunfire exchanged between Iranian personnel and a merchant ship, was swiftly nullified by the Navy’s swift response.

The episode unfolded when Iranian forces unleashed a barrage of fire, comprised of multiple, sustained bursts from small arms and crew-served weapons, targeting the hull of the Richmond Voyager, a Bahamian-registered vessel en route to the Arabian Sea. The attack, aimed at the ship’s crew living quarters, prompted an urgent distress call. Luckily, no casualties were reported.

Thanks to an MQ-9 surveillance drone operated by the U.S., video footage capturing the encounter between the Iranian warship and the oil tanker was obtained. In the Navy’s released footage, flashes of gunfire can be seen erupting near the Richmond Voyager, with officials describing these as “ricocheted rounds” over the commercial vessel. Additionally, the Navy shared images of recovered ammunition fragments from the scene.

As of now, Iran’s mission to the United Nations has not issued a response to the incident.

Of note is the fact that the Iranian military vessel positioned itself within a one-mile radius of the Richmond Voyager, demanding the commercial tanker halt its progress. Responding swiftly to this aggressive act, the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul was swiftly dispatched to the scene, leading the Iranian ship to retreat.

The entire incident unfolded in international waters, more than 20 miles off the coast of the capital of Oman, Muscat. The Navy further disclosed that the USS McFaul had been responding to a similar occurrence involving an Iranian military vessel and the TRF Moss, a Marshall Islands-registered commercial oil tanker, also within international waters.

In light of a recent surge in ship seizures by Iran, U.S. military officials have escalated the frequency of naval and air patrols in the region since May. According to the Navy, Iran has been responsible for harassing, attacking, or hijacking almost 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels since the start of 2021, posing a significant threat to regional maritime security and the global economy.

This successful intervention by the U.S. Navy against Iran’s audacious attempt to seize commercial oil tankers underscores its unwavering commitment to preserving maritime security in the region and safeguarding vital international trade routes.