Oil tanker catches fire after hitting mine in Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reported that an oil tanker carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil caught fire after striking a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz. According to official statements released by Iranian state media, the explosion caused a fire in the vessel's engine room.

Iranian authorities claim the tanker was traveling via an “unauthorized southern route” through the strait and had its positioning and navigation systems disabled. Admiral Ali Ozmaei, commander of the IRGC Navy, recently stated that any vessel disabling its navigation systems would be considered a hostile entity.

This incident follows reports from the IRGC regarding fires on two other oil tankers in the same strait, which were also allegedly caused by mines. Tensions in the region have escalated since February, following conflicts involving the United States and Israel. Iran currently requires all vessels to seek permission to transit the strait, a critical waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. In response to Iranian maritime restrictions, the United States has implemented a maritime counter-blockade on Iranian oil exports.