US Navy Thwarts Iran's Tanker Seizure Attempt in Gulf of Oman

The U.S. Navy has announced that it successfully thwarted Iran's attempts to seize two commercial oil tankers off the coast of Oman. One of the incidents involved intense gunfire, with Iranian personnel firing multiple rounds at the Richmond Voyager, a merchant ship registered in the Bahamas. No injuries were reported, but the ship's hull was hit near crew living spaces. The Navy released footage showing the Iranian warship's encounter with the tanker, including flashes of gunfire. The guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul was dispatched to the area, forcing the Iranian ship to flee. The Navy stated that Iran has harassed, attacked, or seized nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels since 2021, posing a threat to regional maritime security and the global economy.