IRGC Warns of Strikes on US Sites After Tanker Confrontation in Gulf of Oman

Tensions in the US-Iran conflict escalated sharply as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned of strong retaliation if Iranian tankers or vessels come under attack in the Gulf region. The IRGC stated it could strike US military sites and interests across West Asia if hostilities continue, raising fears of a wider regional escalation.

The threat came one day after US strikes on two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Earlier this week, a US fighter jet fired on and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers for attempting to violate the US blockade of Iranian ports. Iranian media later claimed that its navy had responded with strikes of its own.

The confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz follows a proposal sent by the US to Iran through mediator Pakistan. Iran’s Foreign Ministry says the proposal remains under review.

Separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Qatar’s Prime Minister, and in a released statement both sides stressed the importance of close coordination to deter threats and promote stability and security across West Asia. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Rubio said he is expecting a response from the Iranian side soon despite the recent naval clash.

“Normalizing their controlling of international waterway is both illegal and it’s just something that’s unacceptable,” Rubio said. “The world has to start asking itself what it is willing to do if Iran tries to normalize control of an international waterway. We’re expecting a response from them today at some point. We have not received that yet — in the last hour, perhaps that will come. Their system is still highly fractured and a bit dysfunctional. I hope it’s a serious offer. I really do.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that the Iran conflict would end as soon as possible. Speaking with reporters at a news conference in the Kremlin, Putin revealed that Moscow had offered to take in Iran’s enriched uranium, and that initially both the US and Israel had agreed to the same — but that the US later changed its position.

“This is a very difficult and complex conflict,” Putin said, “and it puts us in a difficult position because we have good relations with Iran and genuinely friendly relations with the countries of the Persian Gulf. We hope that this conflict can be stopped as soon as possible. In my view, there are no longer any parties interested in continuing this confrontation.”