Iran Strikes 2 Tankers Trying To Pass Hormuz Under U.S. ‘Air Escort’, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) struck two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, July 31, 2026.
• The IRGC stated that the tankers were "non-compliant" and attempted to use an "undeclared route" under U.S. military air escort.
• Four other oil tankers reportedly changed course and returned to their previous positions following the strikes.
• This incident occurred amidst an ongoing conflict that began on February 28, 2026, with U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran, leading to Iran's retaliatory closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Detailed Insights:

• The Strait of Hormuz, situated between Oman and Iran, is a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• Approximately 20-25% of the world's seaborne oil trade and 20% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass through this strait annually.
• Iran has asserted control over navigation in the strait since the conflict began, requiring vessels to obtain permission and pay transit fees.
• The U.S. maintains a naval presence to ensure freedom of navigation and has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, redirecting or disabling non-compliant vessels.
• International law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), recognizes the right of "transit passage" through international straits like Hormuz.
• The ongoing conflict has significantly disrupted shipping traffic, contributing to volatility in global energy markets.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Strait of Hormuz: A narrow, strategically vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, crucial for global oil and gas transit.
• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): A powerful branch of Iran's armed forces, separate from the regular army, tasked with protecting the Islamic Revolution and projecting Iranian influence.
• Freedom of Navigation: A principle of international law asserting that ships flying the flag of any sovereign state shall not suffer interference from other states, particularly in international waters and straits.
• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): An international treaty that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities, including rules for passage through international straits.