IRGC Air Force Claims Intercept of Hostile Jet Near Qeshm Island
Explosions were heard over the water as a tanker caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz and US officials briefed the president on military options.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
Explosions echoed over the waters surrounding Qeshm Island in the early hours of Friday.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force stated that it intercepted a hostile foreign fighter jet in the area, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. No official statement has yet been issued regarding the specific incident.
Residents of the island, including a correspondent for the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), reported hearing explosions and seeing unidentified lights and sounds in the sky. Local sources told IRNA that air defense systems on the island were activated. Unofficial sources cited by IRNA suggested the blasts over the water may have been warning shots fired at ships violating international agreements in the Strait of Hormuz.
Maritime tensions escalated further on Thursday when a vessel transiting outbound through the strait caught fire. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the ship was struck by two explosive devices attached to its hull above the waterline. A smaller vessel approached the tanker to attach the devices. The incident occurred 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman's Khasab. The crew reported that all personnel were safe.
Earlier on Thursday, UKMTO received a report from a company security officer that a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile while moving through the strait. In a separate claim, the IRGC said three oil tankers had caught fire after hitting mines. The group accused the vessels of attempting to pass through the unauthorized southern route of the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington moved to coordinate its response to the regional developments. US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper briefed President Donald Trump on military options for Iran on Thursday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine were present for the meeting. The Wall Street Journal first reported the briefing, citing US officials and others with direct knowledge of the discussion.
The meeting took place one day after military leaders met with Vice President JD Vance. Vance has reportedly reached out to Iran to revive peace negotiations. President Trump dismissed those reports, stating that Vance communicated with the Iranians only to discuss shortages of medical equipment.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
