An oil tanker caught fire after striking a mine in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Saturday. The incident adds to tensions in a vital global shipping route amid the ongoing Middle East war. The Guards accused the vessel of attempting to cross the strait illegally.
According to the Guards, the supertanker carried more than two million barrels of crude oil. They claimed the vessel violated regulations and struck a mine while attempting to pass through the waterway. The explosion triggered a fire, but officials did not identify the tanker or confirm its exact location.
Iran took control of the Strait of Hormuz after the war began in late February. The waterway normally carries around one-fifth of global oil consumption. At its narrowest point, the strait measures approximately 30 kilometres between Iran to the north and Oman to the south.
The Guards alleged that the tanker attempted to cross the strait with US support. They also claimed the vessel had switched off its tracking systems to avoid detection. The force released a video showing a ship burning at night, although the statement did not provide further details.
Since taking control of the waterway, Tehran has required ships to obtain authorisation before crossing. The restrictions have disrupted a major route for international oil shipments. The latest incident adds another security concern for vessels navigating the strategically important passage.
Washington has responded to Iran’s blockade by imposing a naval counter-blockade on Iranian oil exports. The competing measures have increased pressure on maritime traffic in the region. However, the available report does not confirm whether the tanker incident caused additional shipping disruptions.
Earlier this week, Revolutionary Guards naval commander Admiral Ali Ozmai warned that vessels disabling their navigation systems would face treatment as hostile ships. The latest statement did not provide details about rescue efforts, casualties or the tanker’s ownership. The precise circumstances of the reported mine strike remain unclear.