Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a tanker strike in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. The IRGC Navy said it targeted the tanker “MV Sun Shine,” owned by Natwit, hitting its engine room and propulsion system and setting the vessel on fire. Iran said the tanker was attempting to pass through the strait via an unauthorized route in the southern channel.

In a subsequent statement, the IRGC warned that actions against vessels it deems “violating” rules would no longer be confined to the Strait of Hormuz, saying any ship using unauthorized routes would be hunted down and “punished” across the entire region. The statement also accused U.S. forces of interfering in shipping and insurers’ decision-making, and claimed Washington bears “direct responsibility” for the escalation of maritime tensions.

Meanwhile, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported separate attacks on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf region. A liquefied petroleum gas carrier was hit by an unknown projectile and caught fire 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeirah, UAE. A day earlier, a tanker was also attacked north of Qatari waters. U.S. Central Command said it had cleared mines from the strait’s main shipping lane and declared it open, but Iran’s statements leave the security situation in the critical waterway highly tense.