Iranian Commander Details Attack on Israeli Ships

Iranian commander reveals attacks on Israeli ships in response to Israeli strikes on Iranian vessels.

In a recent address, Hossein Salami, the chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), disclosed that Iran had targeted 12 Israeli vessels in retaliation for attacks on 14 Iranian ships. The statements were made during a meeting in Tehran with President Masoud Pezeshkian and IRGC officials.

Salami’s remarks shed light on a maritime conflict between Iran and Israel, which occurred after the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran in 2018. He did not specify the exact dates of these events but emphasized that Israel’s actions were aimed at disrupting Iran’s oil exports.

Initially, Iran was unaware of the identity of the aggressors, but Salami confirmed that Israel was responsible for the attacks on Iranian ships. The conflict reportedly escalated until Iran struck its fifth Israeli vessel, leading to a declaration of surrender by Israel.

Salami recounted that following the capture of the fifth Israeli ship, the country agreed to halt the naval confrontation. He also highlighted incidents where Iran seized vessels in response to actions by other nations, such as the British and Greeks.

Reflecting on recent years, Salami spoke about the challenges faced by Iran, including sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and political isolation attempts. He praised the IRGC’s efforts in countering these threats and securing Iranian shipping lanes.

Salami emphasized that Iran’s successful operations against perceived threats and its strategic responses have helped secure safer shipping routes for Iranian vessels. He also mentioned a simulated operation to capture a U.S. tanker, which deterred American attempts to seize Iranian oil tankers.

This update from Salami underscores the ongoing maritime tensions in the region and highlights Iran’s continued efforts to assert its influence despite external pressures and conflicts.