A high-seas drama is unfolding near the Strait of Hormuz as Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps navy (IRGCN) vessels have seized a cargo ship.
While no Americans are onboard the Marshall Islands-flagged ship, the U.S. Navy is keeping an eye on the situation.
“At approximately 0905 Zulu, April 28, M/V Maersk Tigris, a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel, was approached by several Iranian IRGCN patrol vessels while in Iranian territorial waters transiting inbound in the Strait of Hormuz,” according to Army Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman.
“The master was contacted and directed to proceed further into Iranian territorial waters. He declined and one of the IRGCN craft fired shots across the bridge of the Maersk Tigris. The master complied with the Iranian demand and proceeded into Iranian waters in the vicinity of Larak Island.”
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NavCent) directed the destroyer USS Farragut, “to proceed at best speed to the nearest location of Maersk Tigris, and directed aircraft to observe the interaction between the Maersk vessel and the IRGCN craft.
“NavCent is communicating with representatives of the shipping company and we continue to monitor the situation. According to information received from the vessel’s operators, there are no Americans aboard.”