Iran has explained why its vessel did not resist when U.S. Marines conducted an operation on board in the Sea of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters—which oversees operations of Iran’s regular military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—said the decision was made to protect civilians.
According to the statement, several family members of the crew were present on the vessel at the time of the incident. Because of their presence, Iranian forces refrained from taking any retaliatory action, as it could have put their lives at serious risk.
The statement added that ensuring the safety of those civilians limited Iran’s ability to respond during the operation. It also noted that a significant portion of Iran’s naval and air forces has already been weakened amid ongoing regional tensions.
Despite not responding at the time, Iran condemned the actions of the United States military, describing them as hostile. Officials warned that “necessary measures” would be taken in response in the future, although no further details were provided.
The incident highlights the fragile security situation in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit route and a long-standing point of tension between Iran and the United States.
