IRAN SAYS OIL TANKER CATCHES FIRE AFTER HITTING MINE IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday that an oil tanker had caught fire after striking a mine in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway at the centre of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Iran took control of the strait following the outbreak of the war in late February, disrupting a passage that normally handles about one-fifth of global oil consumption.
In a statement, the Revolutionary Guards said the supertanker was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil and had violated regulations while attempting to transit the waterway illegally.
The Guards said the vessel struck a mine, triggering an explosion and a major fire.
However, the statement did not disclose the precise location of the incident.
The Strait of Hormuz, bordered by Iran to the north and Oman to the south, measures about 30 kilometres (20 miles) across at its narrowest point.
Since asserting control over the waterway, Iran has required vessels to obtain its authorisation before passing through the strait.
The Revolutionary Guards further alleged that the tanker attempted to cross with US support while switching off its tracking systems. The force also released a video showing a vessel engulfed in flames at night.
In response to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the United States has imposed a naval counter-blockade targeting Iranian oil exports.
Earlier this week, the Guards’ naval commander, Admiral Ali Ozmai, warned that any vessel that deactivated its navigation systems would be regarded as “hostile”.
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