Iran tried to seize two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, firing at one vessel, the US Navy said on Wednesday.
The Iranian Navy retreated after the US Navy responded to distress signals and both commercial ships continued their voyages, it said.
“The Iranian Navy did make attempts to seize commercial tankers lawfully transiting international waters,” said Cdr Timothy Hawkins, a spokesman for the US Navy's 5th Fleet.
He said the navy “responded immediately” but that Iranian forces had fired shots during the attempted second seizure.
The US Central Command said the first ship Iran sought to seize was the Marshall Islands-flagged TRF Moss, which was in the Gulf of Oman when an Iranian vessel approached at 1am local time on Wednesday.
“The Iranian vessel departed the scene when US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul arrived on station,” Centcom said.
Three hours later, the US Navy received a distress call from the Bahamian-flagged Richmond Voyager, which was positioned more than 30km off the coast of Muscat.
Another Iranian naval vessel was close to the tanker and messaged it to stop.
Before the arrival of the USS McFaul, “Iranian personnel fired multiple, long bursts from both small arms and crew-served weapons,” Centcom said.
Several rounds hit the hull of the tanker but there were no casualties or significant damage, it said.
The UK Maritime Component Command on Wednesday called the incidents “unacceptable harassment, threatening freedom of navigation and harming global trade”.
Tehran has seized several vessels in the Arabian Gulf during heightened tensions with the US, which has navy patrols in the area.
In May, it seized two tankers in a single week and has been accused of holding a vessel as a “bargaining chip” over a payment dispute.
The UK's Maritime Trade Organisation also reported the “suspicious incident” involving “national maritime forces” off the coast of Oman, but did not name Iran.
Maritime security company Ambrey said the second ship was a Bahamas-flagged oil tanker, which is Greek-owned and US-managed.
It continued its journey through Omani waters but increased its speed and changed course after the incident, according to Ambrey.
Tehran has seized at least five commercial vessels in the past two years and has harassed several others, the US Navy said.
Tensions between Tehran and Washington increased after the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal.
President Donald Trump in 2018 reinstated sanctions on Tehran and later ordered the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qassem Suleimani, sending relations into deeper crisis in early 2020.
Iran has responded by increasing its nuclear activities – which it says are peaceful – and is also providing armed drones to Russia for its war against Ukraine.
Agencies contributed to this report
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
