WASHINGTON – The US military is preparing to raid Iranian-linked oil tankers and seize commercial vessels in international waters within the coming days, according to sources.
The planned naval operations mark an expansion of US military activity beyond the traditional Middle East theater, a news agency reported.
The move comes as the Iranian military intensifies its grip on the strategic Strait of Hormuz. On Saturday, Iranian forces attacked several commercial vessels in and around the waterway, raising alarm among international shipping lines.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has formally announced that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iranian control. The declaration has sparked deep concern among shipping companies, many of which are now reviewing their routes and security protocols.
The US has not yet issued an official statement on the reported seizure plans. However, military officials have previously warned that any disruption to freedom of navigation in the Strait — a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies — would provoke a decisive response.
Shipping industry sources said the escalating standoff could lead to heightened tensions in international waters, with potential consequences for global energy markets.
