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Iranian authorities reported a new explosion involving an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the sixth incident involving tankers on Friday. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said a supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of crude suffered a strong explosion after striking a naval mine while attempting to exit the strait via a southern route that was not authorized. The tanker reportedly ignored radio warnings from the IRGC Navy and was left burning. Earlier that day, the IRGC and the Iranian Navy had reported incidents with five other tankers that were immobilized while attempting to transit unauthorized routes; three of those vessels were also affected by naval mines. The Iranian forces did not disclose the flags of the ships or any casualties, and stated that the five tankers had shut down their navigation and positioning systems. According to Iranian officials, there have been at least 26 incidents involving vessels in the past three weeks, with at least 20 attributed to naval mines. Iran maintains that it controls the strategic waterway. U.S. President Donald Trump last week accused Iran of fabricating the incidents to raise oil prices ahead of the November 3 legislative elections. In contrast, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz had been cleared of mines. Tehran has restricted transit through Hormuz since the start of the conflict eight months ago, while Washington has maintained a naval blockade around Iranian ports and intensified sanctions. Article source: De Ultimo Minuto | Image credit: De Ultimo Minuto
Iranian authorities reported a new explosion involving an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the sixth incident involving tankers on Friday. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said a supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of crude suffered a strong explosion after striking a naval mine while attempting to exit the strait via a southern route that was not authorized. The tanker reportedly ignored radio warnings from the IRGC Navy and was left burning. Earlier that day, the IRGC and the Iranian Navy had reported incidents with five other tankers that were immobilized while attempting to transit unauthorized routes; three of those vessels were also affected by naval mines. The Iranian forces did not disclose the flags of the ships or any casualties, and stated that the five tankers had shut down their navigation and positioning systems. According to Iranian officials, there have been at least 26 incidents involving vessels in the past three weeks, with at least 20 attributed to naval mines. Iran maintains that it controls the strategic waterway. U.S. President Donald Trump last week accused Iran of fabricating the incidents to raise oil prices ahead of the November 3 legislative elections. In contrast, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz had been cleared of mines. Tehran has restricted transit through Hormuz since the start of the conflict eight months ago, while Washington has maintained a naval blockade around Iranian ports and intensified sanctions.
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