IRGC Attacks Singapore-Flagged Cargo Ship Near Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked a Singapore-flagged cargo ship near the Omani coast by the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday. The vessel was damaged, but no one was hurt.

The strike is being seen as a major test of a recently reached agreement between Washington and Tehran, after several days of reports that the Revolutionary Guard had fired warning shots at ships in the area. This is the first reported attack since the deal that caused actual damage.

The incident comes amid rising tensions in the Persian Gulf. Earlier, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said Washington and Tehran had agreed to set up a direct communications channel with the Revolutionary Guard to help “reduce the likelihood of further escalation.”

According to Vance, Iranian and American military officials are expected to meet in Doha to resolve disputes. The USS Bush carrier is also mentioned in connection with the U.S. Navy presence.