Oil tanker catches fire after hitting naval mine in Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media says

Iran has claimed a string of mine strikes on tankers in recent weeks, none independently verified, as it seeks to pressure the US over its blockade.

Iran’s navy said an oil tanker caught fire on Saturday morning after hitting a naval mine in the eastern Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Iran has imposed restrictions on vessels seeking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and has attacked ships it says violated those restrictions, as it seeks to assert control over the strategic waterway and exert pressure on the US.

IRGC claims string of Hormuz tanker mine strikes

The report came hours after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said on Friday night that two oil tankers, including a supertanker, had exploded and caught fire after hitting naval mines while trying to cross the strait by what it called an “unauthorized” route.

The IRGC said both vessels had switched off their radar and navigation systems, and warned shipowners that ships crossing without coordinating with its traffic-control center would face the same fate.

Earlier this month, the IRGC said four oil tankers had been destroyed after striking mines on a prohibited route south of the strait, and that two other vessels had been seized. A spokesperson claimed the ships had turned off their identification systems to pass covertly with the support of the US military.

On November 1, the IRGC said two tankers exploded after hitting mines in the strait, with a supertanker left “engulfed in flames.” The same day, UKMTO said a tanker in the strait had been hit by an unknown projectile.

Then, in mid-October, the IRGC said two tankers carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil had caught fire after hitting mines.

Iran has said it is escalating its attacks on ships in the region in response to the US naval blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions.