By SCM Reporter
IRANIAN forces have claimed a devastating escalation in the Persian Gulf, boasting they have struck more than 10 oil tankers with a barrage of missiles.
General Akbarzadeh, the firebrand Deputy for Political Affairs of the IRGC Navy, issued a chilling “update” today, claiming the strategic Strait of Hormuz has become a graveyard for vessels that ignored Tehran’s warnings.
”More than 10 oil tankers that disregarded these threats have so far been struck by various missiles and have caught fire!” Akbarzadeh declared, according to state-linked sources.
The General claimed the strikes were a direct response to vessels “violating” Iranian transit rules in the narrow waterway—the world’s most important oil chokepoint. The IRGC has recently declared the Strait “effectively closed,” threatening to set “ablaze” any ship that dares to enter.
The claims have sent shockwaves through global energy markets. Analysts warn that if the reports are confirmed, the world is facing an unprecedented fuel catastrophe.
Already, shipping traffic in the region has plummeted by 80%, with major insurers cancelling “war-risk” coverage as the Gulf becomes a “no-go zone.”
The IRGC’s latest boast follows reports of specific attacks on vessels including the Athena Nova and the Skylight, which was reportedly hit by a missile while transiting Omani waters.
Akbarzadeh’s comments mark a terrifying new peak in the conflict. Just weeks ago, the General warned that Iran had “full control” of the air, surface, and underwater sections of the Strait, vowing that Tehran would not retreat “even a millimeter.”
While US Central Command (CENTCOM) has been working to degrade Iranian naval capabilities—striking key bases like Bandar Abbas—the IRGC appears to be doubling down on its “scorched sea” policy.
”The heroes of the Revolutionary Guard and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze,” a senior IRGC adviser warned earlier this week. It appears they are now claiming to have made good on that threat.
The current escalation follows a series of massive military strikes by US and Israeli forces on February 28, 2026, which targeted Iranian ballistic missile sites and regime infrastructure.
Strategic Importance: The Strait of Hormuz is only 21 miles wide at its narrowest point. Approximately 20-30% of the world’s seaborne oil and 20% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass through it daily.
Operation True Promise 4: This is the Iranian designation for its retaliatory campaign. They have moved from traditional “harassment” of shipping to using kamikaze drones and anti-ship missiles to physically destroy commercial vessels.
Economic Impact: With 112 tankers currently “trapped” or idling in the Persian Gulf, energy experts predict oil prices could skyrocket past $150 per barrel, leading to immediate price hikes at UK petrol pumps.
