Another Tanker Strikes a Sea Mine in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Navy said an oil tanker caught fire after striking a sea mine in an unsafe area east of the Strait of Hormuz.

Tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate, with incidents involving ships and tankers increasing in the strategic waterway. In its statement, the Iranian Navy said the tanker, which was allegedly violating navigation rules, struck a sea mine at dawn, caught fire and was forced to halt its voyage.

The statement added that, like other tankers reportedly hit by sea mines in recent days, the vessel had switched off its identification and navigation systems.

Tehran also reiterated its warning to shipowners that the Strait of Hormuz remains unsafe and closed to vessels attempting to transit without prior coordination.

Earlier today, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported fires aboard two oil tankers and a tugboat that had allegedly entered a prohibited route in the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC also claimed to have taken control of two US-made Lucas unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), safely bringing them down before seizing the aircraft.