The Iranian army announced on Tuesday that an oil tanker had caught fire after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. According to a statement released by the army and published by the official Iranian news agency IRNA, the vessel was sailing on an unauthorized route. The statement, reported by AFP, said: “A few hours earlier, the oil tanker that violated regulations disabled its tracking systems and attempted to cross the forbidden and dangerous area east of the Strait of Hormuz, struck naval mines, causing damage and fire.” Iran claims that it has been controlling the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of U.S.–Israel attacks on the region. Tehran has said it has been targeting ships that try to cross the strait without its permission. The Iranian army has repeatedly warned that tankers attempting to navigate areas it deems forbidden have struck mines. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy reported on Friday that attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waterways reached a record in October. Since the start of the month, the institute recorded 28 confirmed attacks.