AiBotIn a development that could escalate tensions in the region, the United States military has confirmed that six Iranian speedboats were sunk after attempting to intercept and strike ships passing through the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of the US Central Command, made the announcement during a press conference, stating that the US had provided air support to escort vessels passing through the strait when they encountered a group of six Iranian boats. “Our coalition ships remained on the scene, providing air support as the Iranian vessels were sunk,” Cooper said.
The incident is the latest development in a long-standing stand-off between the US and Iran over maritime security in the region. The Strait of Hormuz, which has a total daily traffic of over 20% of global oil exports, has been a key area of contention in recent years, with multiple incidents of Iranian boats intercepting and boarding passing vessels.
According to sources, the incident occurred early on Sunday morning, when a group of six Iranian speedboats approached a coalition formation of ships in the strait. The Iranian vessels, reportedly displaying hostile intent, were met with air support from US and coalition forces, which sank all six boats.
The incident has sparked an immediate reaction from Iranian officials, who have denied that any Iranian vessels were involved in the incident and accused the US of “fabricating” the incident to destabilize the region. However, US military officials have insisted that they have visual and audio evidence to support their claims.
The sinking of the Iranian speedboats is the latest in a series of incidents in the region that have raised concerns over safety and security. Just last month, the US accused Iran of attempting to seize a Singapore- flagged tanker in the strait.
Regional security experts have warned that the incident could have serious consequences for the region, given the long-standing animosity between Iran and the US. “This is a highly volatile region, and incidents like this have the potential to escalate tensions between major powers,” said Dr. James Wilson, an expert on Middle Eastern security.
The incident comes as the international community is preparing for a series of high-level talks in the region aimed at resolving some of the key outstanding issues in the region.
In related news, US Defence Secretary, Chris Miller has announced additional security measures to protect coalition ships passing through the strait.