The U.S. Navy deterred Iranian forces from seizing two commercial tankers on Wednesday in separate incidents.

First, at about 1 a.m. local time, an Iranian navy vessel approached the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker TRF Moss in international waters in the Gulf of Oman. It departed when the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul arrived at the scene, the U.S. 5th Fleet announced on Wednesday.

HOW THE SUPREME COURT COULD NEXT REIN IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION

Approximately three hours later, another Iranian vessel began harassing the Bahamian-flagged oil tanker Richmond Voyager in international waters roughly 20 miles off the coast of Muscat, Oman. It opened fire with both small arms and crew-served weapons, though the Richmond Voyager sustained no casualties, and the Iranian vessel left once McFaul arrived in the area.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the entire [U.S. Naval Forces Central Command] team, especially the exceptional effort by the McFaul crew, for immediately responding and preventing another seizure,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. “We remain vigilant and ready to protect navigational rights in these critical waters.”

The Pentagon announced in May it would be increasing its maritime presence in the Middle East due to repeated Iranian seizures of commercial vessels.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Iranians have "no justification for these actions," National Security Council coordinator John Kirby said at the time, explaining, "The United States will not allow foreign or regional powers to jeopardize freedom of navigation in the Middle East waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab [Strait], nor tolerate by any country, efforts to dominate another, or the region, military buildups, incursions, or threats."

Since 2021, Iran has harassed, attacked, or seized nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels, according to the Fifth Fleet.