IRGC Says Supertanker Hit Sea Mine in Strait of Hormuz
The IRGC said the crude-carrying vessel suffered an engine-room explosion and fire while preparing to exit the strait. It said this was the third tanker alleged to have struck a mine and caught fire since yesterday.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy public relations said a second supertanker struck a sea mine in the southern Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was carrying crude and preparing to leave the strait when it hit the mine this evening, according to the IRGC, which said the impact caused an engine-room explosion and fire. The IRGC accused the tanker of switching off all navigation systems and entering an unauthorized channel in breach of transit rules. It said that, since yesterday, this is the third tanker alleged to have hit a mine and caught fire after passing through unauthorized waters.