IRGC Navy Strikes Tanker, Widens Threat Beyond Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy attacked the LPG tanker NV Sunshine near the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a major engine-room fire, and announced that enforcement actions against shipping will no longer be limited to the Strait but will extend region-wide to any vessel using what it calls unauthorized routes. The expanded threat was confirmed by The Maritime Executive and comes as CENTCOM reports 133 commercial vessels have already been rerouted under a US naval blockade. On the ground, Bab al-Mandab emerged as a major flashpoint, with Saudi-backed Giants Brigades advancing on Houthi positions while Houthi forces claimed to repel two separate counter-offensives and destroyed 22 armored vehicles. Houthi forces separately struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, drawing condemnation from Gulf Cooperation Council states. The United States intensified pressure on Iran across multiple fronts. Treasury Secretary Bessent said the UAE and Oman are cooperating in a campaign for Iran's complete isolation, with talks underway to close land routes through Pakistan and Turkey, and announced plans to seize roughly $1 billion in Iranian cryptocurrency assets. Axios reported that US officials briefed Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir on preparations for possible resumed strikes on Iran within three weeks. Domestically, residents of eastern Tehran reported explosions and apparent air defense fire Friday evening, while a roadside bomb attributed to Jaish al-Zulm killed a senior police commander in Zahedan, in Sistan and Baluchestan province, adding to mounting internal security pressures on Tehran.