Iran says two tankers hit mines near Strait of Hormuz, one sinks

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said two oil tankers struck naval mines and caught fire while attempting to cross the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. One of the vessels sank, Anadolu Agency reported.

The IRGC Navy said the tankers were using what it described as an “unauthorized” route when the mines triggered powerful explosions. It said the sunken vessel was a supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil and sank in the southern Gulf.

The force alleged that the tankers had switched off their navigation systems and attempted to cross undetected with support from the US military.

The statement did not identify the vessels or provide details about their crews.

Iran announced on July 12 that it had closed the strait again after the US resumed strikes on Iran. Tehran has warned that it would target vessels using routes other than those it designates, or attempting to transit without its permission.

The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Disruptions to shipping through the waterway have heightened concerns about global energy supplies.