Did Iran just hit a US ship in the Indian Ocean? Strikes in Gulf escalate conflict

Tehran/New Delhi: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Sunday that it carried out a major strike in the Indian Ocean targeting U.S. military supply vessels, as part of its ongoing Operation True Promise4.

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In its fourth public announcement of the operation, the IRGC said an MSP (Maritime Security Program) ship carrying ammunition for American naval forces was hit by four drones at the Jebel Ali anchorage, leaving the vessel “completely disabled” amid explosions. The statement also claimed that a U.S. naval base in Kuwait’s Abdullah Mubarak area was struck with four ballistic missiles and 12 drones.

Additionally, the IRGC said an MST-class combat support ship carrying fuel for U.S. vessels in the region was hit by Iranian Qadr-380 missiles. “The IRGC Navy, along with the air force, will keep the gates of hell open to enemy units,” the statement added.

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The Maritime Security Program, established in 1996, operates a fleet of 60 U.S.-flag commercial ships that can support the Department of Defence in emergencies. The IRGC’s announcement marks a significant escalation in Iran’s confrontation with American forces in the Middle East.

The Israeli-US strikes have resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei

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According to state-run TV, the Iranian government issued a statement warning that the "crime of assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution will not go unpunished" and asserting that the "pure blood of the martyred Leader will uproot the criminal regimes of the US and Israel."

Iran is observing 40 days of public mourning following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Reuters reported, citing Iranian state media. In Shia Islam, the 40th day after death (Arba'een) holds immense spiritual weight.