Iran escalates in Hormuz, claims strike on Omani island it says 'enemy' uses for US military ops

 Iran claims it struck a small Omani island in the Strait of Hormuz, targeting oil tanker navigation infrastructure as CENTCOM maintains its blockade of Iranian ports and protects commercial shipping from Iranian attacks along the southern route.

Three sources also confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday that navigation systems and communications equipment on Didamar Island, also known as Little Quoin Island, had been attacked, raising concerns about the vulnerability of maritime infrastructure used to maintain oil shipments through the Gulf.

Iran's semiofficial Fars News Agency reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy targeted the island, alleging the systems were being used to help vessels transit the strait without Tehran's authorization.

Iranian state television also claimed that personnel and equipment on the island "were helping the flow of oil smuggling by the enemy," with the IRGC maintaining it had carried out the strikes, Reuters reported.

Video published by Reuters showed smoke rising near the rocky outcrop.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) meanwhile, said it identified the attack as occurring Nov. 8, before Iranian state media claimed responsibility on Nov. 10.

ISW also questioned the extent of the reported damage, noting that commercial vessels continued using the southern route following the attack.

"The extent of the damage to these systems and the systems struck remains unclear at the time of this writing," ISW said in its assessment.

Satellite imagery from the European Union's Copernicus Sentinel-2 program, cited by Reuters and dated Nov. 8, also showed apparent scorch marks near radar and radio equipment on the island.

The strike comes as U.S forces carry out missions to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

The U.S. Navy imposed its blockade of Iranian ports in April after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in February amid escalating tensions. The U.S. lifted the blockade in June following a temporary ceasefire agreement, but then reinstated it in July.

Commercial and allied shipping through the waterway is advised to use a southern route through Omani territorial waters, located outside of Tehran’s direct military control and overseen by CENTCOM.

The latest incident on Didamar Island comes as Gulf oil exporters work to restore shipments disrupted by the conflict.