Lagos, Nigeria – In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that it targeted and struck a United States-owned oil tanker in the northern waters of the Persian Gulf early Thursday morning. The vessel, identified in some reports as the “Louise P” flying the Marshall Islands flag, is currently burning, according to official statements from the IRGC. This incident comes amid heightened military actions in the region, including Iran’s “True Promise 4” operations, which have involved missile strikes on Israeli targets and retaliatory actions against US interests.
The IRGC’s Public Relations Office released a statement emphasizing that, under international laws and wartime regulations, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is firmly under Iran’s control. “All parties must adhere to these regulations,” the statement warned, adding that military, commercial, or other vessels belonging to the United States, Israel, European countries, or their allies will not be permitted to pass through the vital waterway. The elite force further declared it would monitor and target any ship attempting to cross illegally, signaling a potential blockade that could disrupt global oil supplies.
As previously reported by NaijaChoice News, tensions in the Gulf have been mounting since the onset of US-led strikes on Iranian assets, including the sinking of an Iranian warship, prompting Tehran to vow retaliation against American and allied shipping. This latest attack marks at least the 17th incident involving non-Iranian merchant ships since the conflict intensified, with many vessels linked to US interests coming under fire from drones, missiles, and other projectiles in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz regions. Iranian state media, including Tasnim and Mehr News, confirmed the missile strike, while international outlets like Al Arabiya and TASS reported the tanker was hit in waters near Kuwait, leading to a massive explosion and ongoing fire.
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Eyewitness accounts and social media posts from the region, including on X (formerly Twitter), described plumes of smoke rising from the site, with one user noting the attack’s proximity to Kuwaiti waters. The United States has yet to officially confirm the incident, but sources indicate it may be part of a broader pattern of IRGC operations aimed at demonstrating “Anti-Access/Area Denial” capabilities despite sustained airstrikes by US and Israeli forces. In a related development, over 200 ships are reportedly stranded in the area due to the paralysis of the Hormuz Strait, a chokepoint that carries about 20% of the world’s oil.
For Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, this development could have significant ripple effects. With global oil prices already surging amid the crisis, experts warn of potential spikes that might benefit Nigerian exports but also inflate domestic fuel costs and exacerbate economic pressures. Analysts in Lagos have urged the Nigerian government to monitor the situation closely, as any prolonged disruption in Gulf shipping could impact West African energy markets and international trade routes.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has doubled down on warnings to European nations, stating they will “pay the price” for silence over US-Israeli actions, further broadening the conflict’s scope. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered Navy escorts for tankers, heightening the risk of direct confrontation.
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