Iran Patrol Boats Fire on Singapore-Flagged Commercial Oil Tanker in Gulf

Iranian patrol boats opened fire on a Singapore-flagged oil tanker as it moved through the Strait of Hormuz in a confrontation that raised new concerns about Iran’s attempts to exert more control of commerce in the Persian Gulf.

For the second time in two weeks, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Naval patrol boats confronted a commercial ship moving through the strait and ordered it into Iranian waters on Thursday, according to U.S. officials.

Three Iranian patrol boats opened fire on the 600-foot-long Alpine Eternity when the tanker crew refused to follow their direction, then chased the tanker after it issued a call for help, U.S. officials said.

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