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Iran claims four tankers caught fire after hitting mines in Strait of Hormuz
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian military reported that at least four oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. According to Iranian authorities, three vessels exploded and caught fire within a 24-hour period while attempting to navigate an unauthorized southern route. The IRGC alleged that these ships had disabled their radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings from Iranian naval forces.
A fourth tanker reportedly caught fire after striking a mine in a restricted zone east of the strait. These incidents occurred one day after US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that major shipping routes in the waterway had been cleared of mines. Iranian spokesperson Hossein Mohebi challenged the US claims, demanding independent evidence of the mine-clearing operations.
Separately, the IRGC Navy announced it had intercepted and captured a US MQM-170 drone in the western Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC claimed its electronic warfare unit took control of the aircraft’s guidance systems and landed it intact. The drone was reportedly attempting to identify Iranian air defense systems along the Persian Gulf coast.
In a related maritime incident, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a vessel on fire near the coast of Oman. The vessel was identified as a dhow, which caught fire, tilted, and eventually sank. The crew of the dhow was reported to have evacuated safely.
Entities
Abbas Araghchi · Donald Trump · Griffon Aerospace · Iran · Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps · Qatar · Strait of Hormuz · United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations · United States · United States · United States Central Command
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The vessel had deactivated its tracking, radar, and navigation systems. diariosanrafael.com.ar · www.ekriti.gr · www.sigmalive.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The incident occurred in a prohibited zone in the eastern or southern part of the Strait of Hormuz. diariosanrafael.com.ar · www.ekriti.gr · www.sigmalive.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] UKMTO reported a vessel caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman. www.sigmalive.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The identity and cargo of the vessel(s) are currently unknown. www.ekriti.gr · www.sigmalive.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The IRGC claimed three tankers caught fire after hitting mines. www.sigmalive.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] An oil tanker caught fire after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. diariosanrafael.com.ar · www.ekriti.gr · www.sigmalive.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] The intercepted MQ-1 was the 14th of its kind destroyed by the IRGC. n1info.ba · www.newsbytesapp.com · www.jpnn.com · batmanrehbergazetesi.com · noticias037.net · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The MQM-170 drone was manufactured by US-based Griffon Aerospace. wanaen.com · spanish.almanar.com.lb
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Qatar is leading regional mediation efforts to restart negotiations between Washington and Tehran. thediplomaticinsight.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The IRGC captured a US MQM-170 drone intact using electronic warfare. wanaen.com · spanish.almanar.com.lb · tuoitre.vn
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The UKMTO reported a vessel on fire in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman. en.protothema.gr
- [● 5 SOURCES] The US has requested Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a military campaign against Iran. n1info.ba · www.newsbytesapp.com · www.jpnn.com · www.corcianonline.it