Tehran: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reported an explosion and a major fire aboard a second oil supertanker in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, alleging that the vessel struck a naval mine.
According to Iranian officials, the explosion occurred in the ship’s engine room on Saturday. Reports cited by Iranian sources suggested that the supertanker was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil. However, the vessel’s name, the condition of its crew and the extent of the damage were not immediately known.
The IRGC alleged that the tanker was operating with its GPS and radar systems switched off and attempting to navigate the strait outside the designated shipping lane without authorisation.
Iranian naval authorities also reported an explosion aboard another supertanker on the same day, claiming that both vessels were engulfed in large fires. Independent confirmation of the reported incidents was not provided in the available information.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime passage for global oil shipments, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Disruptions in the waterway can raise concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and international energy supplies.
Iran maintains close surveillance of vessels transiting the strait. An IRGC commander has claimed that Iranian forces maintain continuous control over the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Details of the reported tanker incidents, including the cause of the explosions and their impact on shipping, remain unclear.
