Attack on Thai oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz may be message to US, analyst says

He iranian regime could have been decapitated in the first moments of the warbut analysts say the second founding moment of the conflict occurred on Wednesday, when a Thai-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was attacked. struck by a projectile.

According to a former officer who designed missiles for the US Navy, the ship was probably hit by a C-802 Noor missile just above the waterline, near the engine room. Newer versions of the missile have a range of up to 200 miles and can be fired from ships, coastal batteries, airplanes or trucks.

The attack appears to have come without warning and shows that Iran and its allies can attack ships even without mining the strait. Atlantic Council analyst Danny Citrinowitz told News themezone that this explains why US warships have not entered the Strait of Hormuz or escorted ships through the waterway, even as President Trump claims that iranian navy has been decimated.

Citrinowitz said Iran likely has “thousands of these missiles of various variants and drones” that can attack ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has sent hundreds, possibly many more, of these missiles to Hezbollah.

Iran also has speedboats manned by commandos, and News themezone reported Wednesday that the country may be preparing to deploy naval mines in the waterway. Trump said Tuesday afternoon that U.S. forces had “hit and completely destroyed 10 inactive ships and/or minecraft, with more to follow!”

Approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply flows through the strait. The route has been practically paralyzed in the middle of the war, and the main Marine insurers have warned will suspend coverage for ships operating in Iranian waters and parts of the Gulf. Oil prices rose more than $100 a barrel Thursday morning and stock markets around the world are showing losses. Oil analysts emphasize that energy markets will remain volatile until significant progress is made showing that ships can safely navigate through the strait.

Mr. Trump told News themezone on Monday that he is still “thinking about taking” the Strait of Hormuz, although he said the war is “very complete.” He did not elaborate on what that would entail.

The attack on the Thai tanker came shortly after Iran threatened any ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz without its approval, and after Trump said the United States would respond with fire and fury if the vital waterway was closed. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said they had attacked the tanker because it had ignored “warnings.” A Liberian-flagged ship was also attacked on Wednesday.

The impact with the Thai tanker caused a fire and damaged the tanker’s engine room, according to ship operator Precious Shipping. said in a statement. Three crew members are believed to have been trapped in the engine room, the company said. The other 20 crew members aboard the ship were rescued by the Omani navy, the Thai navy said Wednesday.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency also released a dramatic video that apparently shows a missile attack on a US-owned oil tanker in the Persian Gulf. The video shows a massive explosion on a ship which is then engulfed in flames as people aboard what appears to be an IRGC attack ship celebrate. News themezone Confirmed identified the vessel as the Safesea Vishnu, a crude oil tanker that sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands but is owned by New Jersey-based Safesea Group LLC. The crew was safely evacuated, according to the British military’s UK Maritime Trade Operations agency.