Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they hit U.S. tanker in northern Gulf, vessel reported on fire

Tehran, Iran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday they had hit a U.S. tanker in the northern part of the Gulf and that the vessel was on fire. There was no immediate confirmation of the incident or of a similar attack Iran claimed earlier this week.

Claimed attack and lack of confirmation

In a statement carried by state media, the Revolutionary Guards said they had hit the tanker in the northern Gulf and reported that it was on fire. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the claim or of an earlier similar attack Iran said took place this week.

Strait of Hormuz statement

The Guards said that, in time of war, passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be under the control of the Islamic Republic.

What impact could the statements have on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz?