A projectile hit an Emirati-owned offshore tug on Sunday evening in a likely Iranian attack. Oilprice.com's ZeroHedge contributor describes the strike as unusual because it occurred hundreds of miles from the Strait of Hormuz, and notes the target was a tugboat, not a large tanker. Meanwhile, Tehran says it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if Washington meets its conditions.
An Emirati-owned offshore tug was hit by a projectile on Sunday evening in the Strait of Hormuz, northwest of the Musandam Peninsula, according to The Maritime Executive. Security consultancy Vanguard Tech identified the vessel as the UAE-owned Selat Storm, an older tug and supply ship of about 1,300 dwt.
ZeroHedge, writing on Oilprice.com, calls the attack significant and unusual because it occurred hundreds of miles from the Strait of Hormuz itself. The vessel was also a tugboat rather than a large tanker.
Second likely Iranian attack on a tug
Observers saw the boat "partially sinking" soon after the strike. The Maritime Executive said the crew's status was not reported.
It was the second likely Iranian attack on a tug in the strait since October 18, when a projectile hit the Dutch-flagged tug JIF Barracuda. The Maritime Executive said the high count of disabled and damaged tankers implies an abundant need for salvage towing, and there is speculation that this demand has made tugs targets.
Trump and Tehran trade signals
Another ship was attacked earlier on Sunday, and last Thursday Iran claimed four tankers hit mines while attempting what it called illegal passage of the strait.
President Trump is threatening renewed attacks on Iran, yet there are indicators he may give diplomacy another chance. Speaking to supporters in Iowa, he said he wants to be nice and save lives if he can, but added: "at some point we're going to have to give them the hammer."
Tehran says it is ready to reopen the strait within two days if the United States meets its conditions. Those include war reparations and the removal of all forces from locations near the Islamic Republic, which Trump is unlikely to accept, according to the article. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed that indirect message exchanges with Washington continue.
Source: Oilprice.com
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