Iran’s navy announced that three oil tankers exploded and caught fire after hitting naval mines in waters south and east of the Strait of Hormuz.
On Sunday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said two oil tankers caught fire south of the strait after striking sea mines while attempting to pass through an unauthorized shipping route. Iran’s regular navy also reported a similar incident involving a third tanker east of the strait.
In an official statement, the Revolutionary Guard said the two tankers, including one large oil tanker, were trying to cross the strait secretly after switching off their navigation and automatic identification systems. According to the statement, both vessels struck sea mines and caught fire, with the flames visible along the southern coast of the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement also said two other oil tankers initially attempted to cross the strait secretly but turned back towards Gulf waters after receiving warnings from the Revolutionary Guard’s maritime control center. Iranian authorities warned ship owners and shipping companies not to enter the strait without prior coordination and approval.
Meanwhile, Iran’s regular navy reported that another oil tanker caught fire east of the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a sea mine in an area it described as restricted and unsafe. The navy said the vessel had switched off its tracking systems and was forced to stop operating after the incident.
Iranian naval authorities urged all shipping companies to follow Tehran’s navigation instructions and avoid restricted areas to reduce the risk of further incidents.