U.S. Central Command reported on Sunday morning that an Iranian Jamaran-class corvette was struck by American forces during the start of “Operation Epic Fury,” launched against Iran on Saturday. The operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking officials, including Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
Later, around midday, the White House confirmed that nine Iranian warships had been sunk in retaliatory strikes in the Gulf. “I’ve just been informed that we have destroyed and sunk nine Iranian warships, some of them relatively large and critical. We’re going after the rest. They’ll soon be floating on the bottom of the sea too!” said Donald Trump.
The Trump administration stated the vessel sank in the Gulf of Oman, near the port of Chabahar. The development underscores growing regional tensions and raises concerns about maritime security in a critical global trade route.
“An Iranian Jamaran-class corvette was attacked by U.S. Forces during the start of Operation Epic Fury. The ship is currently sinking in the Gulf of Oman, off the port of Chah Bahar. As the President said, members of the Iranian armed forces, the IRGC and the police “must lay down their arms.” Abandon ship,” read a post on X.
In total, two vessels were reportedly attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the second day of Iranian bombardments in the Gulf in response to the U.S. And Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic, according to maritime security agencies. Crisis in the Middle East: two ships attacked in the Strait of Ormuz and shipping companies suspended transit
The Strait of Hormuz is a key passage for global oil trade, carrying approximately a quarter of the world’s crude oil and a fifth of liquefied natural gas. One ship was hit off the coast of Oman, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) maritime security agency.
Another was struck off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, UKMTO and private maritime security company Vanguard Tech reported. On Sunday, Iranian state television announced that a tanker was “sinking” after being attacked while passing “illegally” through the Strait of Hormuz, but provided no further details.
Television footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the tanker, which was on fire. On Saturday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced that the waterway was “de facto” closed to navigation, deeming it dangerous due to U.S. And Israeli attacks.
The European Union Naval Force stated that the Revolutionary Guard had warned ships via radio message that transit through the Strait of Hormuz “is not authorized.”
Will the fall of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei be the death blow to the Iranian regime?
