Violating Oil Tanker Hit by Mine East of Strait of Hormuz
TEHRAN: Iran’s Navy has reported that an oil tanker caught fire after striking a naval mine east of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Iranian Army Navy said the tanker was travelling through what it described as an “unsafe and prohibited” maritime zone despite previous warnings.
According to the statement, the vessel had switched off its tracking and identification systems while transiting the restricted area. It reportedly struck a naval mine, caught fire and came to a halt.
The Iranian Navy warned that vessels entering the prohibited zone east of the Strait of Hormuz risk striking naval mines and catching fire.
It also criticised oil tanker owners for ignoring navigation restrictions and relying on what it called misleading statements by the US president.
The statement urged shipping companies to take previous incidents seriously and avoid sending vessels through restricted waters.
Iran Issues Warning to Oil Tankers
The latest incident follows another reported oil tanker fire in the same area earlier this week.
The Iranian Army said the previous incident occurred early Wednesday after a tanker allegedly violated navigation restrictions and struck a sea mine in an area it described as unsafe and forbidden.
Iranian military officials said naval forces maintain control and close surveillance over the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz.
The military also warned ship owners to coordinate with Iranian armed forces and follow maritime regulations before attempting to pass through the waterway.
Strait of Hormuz Remains a Key Shipping Route
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes for global energy supplies. A significant share of international oil shipments passes through this narrow waterway.
Any disruption to shipping in the region could affect global oil transportation and energy markets.
However, the reported tanker incidents and the Iranian military’s claims have not been independently verified.
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