Two speedboats linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked an oil tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz near Oman, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on the 18th.
According to Reuters, the UKMTO, citing the tanker's captain, said the two speedboats opened fire without a radio warning about 20 nautical miles (about 37 km) northeast of Oman, and that both the vessel and crew were safe.
Reuters also reported, citing shipping industry sources, that several merchant ships received an Iranian navy radio message saying, "The Strait of Hormuz is closed again. Vessels cannot pass."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the previous day that the Strait of Hormuz blockade would be temporarily lifted, but a day later Iran's military said it would again control passage, citing the U.S. maritime blockade.