03.02.2026 21:15
The U.S. military shot down an Iranian drone approaching a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Oman Sea. Not stopping there, Iran attempted to conduct an operation by approaching a U.S. oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz with six attack boats equipped with heavy machine guns. U.S. media reported that the Revolutionary Guards ordered the tanker to be searched, but the tanker increased its speed and moved away. It was learned that the tanker was heading to the U.S. Naval Base in Bahrain.
Tensions between Iran and the USA have reached a peak. While there is curiosity about whether a war will start between the two countries, striking moves have come from Tehran.
US ARMY DOWNED IRANIAN DRONE
An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) belonging to Iran approached a US aircraft carrier in the Oman Sea. The US army immediately shot down the UAV.
IRANIAN ASSAULT BOATS ATTEMPTED TO APPROACH US TANKER
Additionally, 6 Iranian assault boats equipped with heavy machine guns approached the oil tanker M/T STENA IMPERATIVE, which is flagged by the US and owned by Denmark, in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker, which was ordered to be searched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, increased its speed and moved away.
The tanker continued its journey under escort after meeting with a US naval vessel to Bahrain. It was reported that the tanker, which departed from the United Arab Emirates, was heading to the US Naval Base in Bahrain.
"THE US VIOLATED OUR TERRITORIAL WATERS"
Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported, based on unnamed Iranian officials, that a civilian ship was warned by Iranian forces for entering Iranian territorial waters without permission in the afternoon, and after that, the ship left Iranian waters.
Iranian authorities stated that there was no security violation, conflict, or military intervention during the incident, and that the claims of "blockade" and "security incident" put forward by the British maritime security company do not reflect the truth.
IRAN HAD ANNOUNCED A MILITARY EXERCISE
Iran issued a NOTAM due to military shooting activities in the airspace around the Strait of Hormuz and stated that military shooting activities would be carried out in the area.
It was reported that the military activity would take place within a circular area with a radius of 5 nautical miles from January 27 to 29, and that the airspace from ground level up to 25,000 feet would be considered restricted and dangerous during the exercise.
PROTESTS IN IRAN
Protests that began on December 28, 2025, led by tradesmen in the Grand Bazaar of Tehran due to the rapid depreciation of the local currency against foreign currencies and the deepening economic troubles spread across the country. Following the escalation of protests in the capital Tehran on January 8, the government blocked internet access. Recently, after the protests ended, internet access has been partially and limitedly restored.
In a statement on January 21, based on the Forensic Medicine Institution of the Iranian Martyrs and Veterans Foundation, it was announced that 3,117 people, including security forces and civilians, lost their lives during the incidents that occurred during the protests.
The Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), based in the USA, reported that 6,126 people lost their lives in the incidents during the protests, and 41,880 people were detained.