An oil tanker carrying over 2 million barrels of crude oil caught fire after hitting a mine in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian officials. The incident occurred as the vessel attempted to pass through the narrow waterway, which is a critical route for global oil shipments.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the tanker was traveling under false pretenses and received support from what it called US-backed smuggling and terrorist activities. The vessel was reportedly on an unauthorized route, prompting the IRGC to take action.
The mine strike caused the tanker to burst into flames, though no casualties have been reported. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of maritime traffic in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil supplies, with about 20% of the world’s oil passing through it daily. Recent months have seen an increase in attacks on commercial vessels, including drone strikes and sabotage.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has urged ships to avoid the area and refrain from trading there until the situation stabilizes. The IMO chief emphasized that safe operations cannot resume until the root causes of the conflict are resolved.
The US military has previously stated that most Iranian attacks on vessels in the region have been unsuccessful. However, the latest incident highlights the ongoing tensions and risks faced by commercial shipping in the strategic waterway.
