Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has intercepted and driven away what it described as a “hostile” fighter jet over Qeshm Island, according to local media reports.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Friday, October 30, with the IRGC Air Force carrying out the interception, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.
However, Iranian authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of the report.
Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) also reported that residents of Qeshm Island, including its correspondent, heard explosions and observed unidentified lights and sounds in the sky and waters surrounding the island.
Some local sources told the agency that air defence systems on the island had been activated.
IRNA, citing unofficial sources, suggested that the explosions over the water might have been warning shots fired at vessels suspected of violating international agreements in the Strait of Hormuz.
The development comes amid heightened maritime security concerns in the strategic waterway following reports of attacks on oil tankers.
On Thursday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker caught fire after two explosive devices attached to its hull detonated about 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. The vessel’s crew were reported safe.