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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday that an oil supertanker struck a naval mine and exploded as it attempted to leave the Strait of Hormuz through what it described as an unauthorized southern route.
In a statement, the IRGC said the vessel could carry about 2 million barrels of oil and had switched off its navigation systems before trying to cross the strategic waterway. The explosion was visible from coastal areas, it said.
The corps warned that “the fate of every vessel that ignores the rules in the Strait of Hormuz is a horrific fire.” There was no immediate information about the tanker’s identity, its crew or possible casualties.
Iran warns vessels against using unauthorized routes
A day earlier, Iranian state television reported heavy explosions in the strait, citing military sources who said tankers using routes Tehran considers unauthorized may have struck mines in the southern passage.
Iran said on July 12 that it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz after US attacks resumed on July 8. Tehran has also threatened to target vessels using routes other than those designated by Iranian authorities or attempting to cross without permission.
Dispute over shipping route persists
The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28 that killed more than 3,000 people, according to Tehran. Iran retaliated with attacks that killed Americans and Israelis before a ceasefire was reached in April.
The United States later carried out further strikes on Iranian sites as negotiations between Washington and Tehran stalled, despite the signing of a memorandum of understanding in mid-June.
Talks have remained deadlocked over disagreements about navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy and commodity supplies.
