Tehran, Sept 8:
Iran has claimed that it struck an unmanned US vessel attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in the strategically vital waterway, while the United States has rejected the claim as a “total lie.”
Iran said the vessel was targeted after attempting to enter an area that Tehran considers a restricted zone. The claim came amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States and growing concerns over the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies.
Washington, however, denied that Iran had successfully attacked an American vessel. The US rejection has added to the uncertainty surrounding the incident, with the two sides offering sharply conflicting accounts of what happened.
The development came as Iran indicated that it planned to announce a new maritime exclusion zone near the Strait. Tehran has warned that US assets and energy infrastructure in the Gulf could face retaliation if American attacks continue.
The latest confrontation has raised fresh fears over the possibility of further military escalation in the Gulf. Any prolonged disruption around Hormuz could have wider implications for international shipping and energy markets.