American media reports that Iranian gunboats approached an oil tanker flying the American flag.

According to a report from a British maritime security company cited by American media on February 3, the "Stena Imperative" oil tanker flying the American flag was "briefly approached by 6 Iranian gunboats" in the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker continued sailing under escort by a US warship. The report mentioned that these gunboats radioed the tanker, ordering the captain to "shut down the engines and prepare to be boarded," but the tanker accelerated and maintained its course. It is expected that the tanker will arrive at the Sitra port in Bahrain on February 5. According to Iran's Fars News Agency, some vessels were intercepted for "illegally entering Iranian territorial waters." It has also been reported that the "Stena Imperative" oil tanker had previously joined the US Navy's tanker security program. It is understood that tankers participating in the program are still operated by commercial companies, but are contractually linked to the US Navy in order to be quickly deployed in times of crisis or war.