Iran claims oil tankers caught fire after hitting naval mines in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has claimed that two oil tankers exploded and caught fire after hitting naval mines while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz through what it described as an unauthorised route.

In a statement published on its official news outlet, Sepah News, on Friday night, the IRGC Navy said the vessels had violated Iranian regulations by attempting to pass through the strategic waterway without coordinating with its traffic-control centre. One of the vessels was identified as a supertanker.

According to the statement, both ships had switched off their radar and navigation systems before entering the restricted route. The IRGC Navy warned shipowners and shipping companies that vessels attempting to cross the strait without its authorisation could face similar consequences.

The latest claim comes amid repeated reports of oil tankers catching fire in the region. On Thursday, the Iranian Army said two tankers had caught fire after entering what it called a forbidden zone east of the Strait of Hormuz and striking naval mines.

The army alleged that the vessels had ignored warnings, switched off their radar systems and entered an unsafe area. It did not provide further details about the ships in the statement.

The IRGC Navy had also reported an incident on Wednesday night, claiming that two oil tankers carrying more than four million barrels of oil were disabled by explosions while attempting to cross the strait. It said the vessels had ignored repeated warnings from its traffic-control centre that the southern route was unauthorised and unsafe.

Iran tightens control over Strait of Hormuz

Iran tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, following joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory. Tehran subsequently barred safe passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with the two countries, according to Xinhua news agency.

The strait is a critical route for global oil shipments, making any disruption to commercial shipping in the area a concern for energy markets and international trade.

Meanwhile, Iranian Army Chief Commander Amir Hatami on Thursday stressed the readiness of the country's armed forces, particularly its air defence units, to respond to potential threats.

"If the enemy makes a mistake once again and commits an act of aggression against our country, it will face even heavier blows," Hatami was quoted as saying on the army's website.

His remarks came amid heightened tensions following the strikes on Iran and the subsequent restrictions imposed on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

With IANS inputs