The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran stated on the 2nd that in a new round of counter-attacks, Iran launched a total of 5 ballistic missiles and 26 drones at multiple US targets in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Sepah News, a media outlet under the IRGC, issued a statement saying this round of Iranian strikes targeted the US Arifjan Camp in Kuwait, the US military command and control center at an air force base in the UAE, US naval base facilities in Bahrain, and an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
● “Destroying vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz”
According to ISNA (Iranian Students News Agency) on the 2nd, IRGC commander Jabari said in a live television broadcast that any vessel attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz will be destroyed, stating, “We will not allow a single drop of oil to flow out of the region.”
According to Fars News Agency on the same day, no oil tankers are currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Twenty-six oil tankers are lingering near the strait, while another 27 have completely halted, with a combined carrying capacity of up to 12 million barrels of crude oil.
On February 28, the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, after which the IRGC announced the same evening that all vessels were prohibited from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Mehr News Agency on March 1st, an unauthorized oil tanker attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz was hit.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, forming a vital route for oil exports from Middle Eastern producers such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and the UAE. About one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil is transported through this strait.