Iranian IRGC says it attacked a US-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Sunday that its navy forces attacked a remotely operated vessel it said was linked to the United States after the craft tried to enter a protected zone in the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC’s public relations department said the vessel was attempting to breach the area that Iran administers in the strategic waterway.

"Every desperate move by the enemy is being closely monitored by brave, self-sacrificing IRGC Navy forces and will be met with a decisive attack," the statement read.

The IRGC added that the strait is under Iranian management and any hostile action would receive a firm response, urging the United States to cease its activities in the region. Iran has limited transit through the strait since a conflict that began in late February and was halted by a ceasefire in early April. A June 17 memorandum of understanding, brokered by Pakistan, assigns responsibility for reopening and managing the strait to Iran.

The IRGC claimed the United States attempted to establish a corridor near Omani waters and resumed aerial operations, which Tehran says violates the agreement. Consequently, Iran declared the strait closed to all traffic, stating that reopening depends on U.S. compliance with the memorandum.