Four Tankers Strike Mines in Strait of Hormuz: Iran Charges

Four tankers caught fire after hitting mines while attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's armed forces said. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps stated that the four violating tankers had switched off all their radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings while attempting to pass through the unauthorized southern route. The specific timing of the incidents and the nationalities of the vessels remain unclear.

Four oil tankers caught fire following incidents where they struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a disputed southern route, according to a statement from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. The incidents occurred over the past 24 hours, with three tankers reported as having exploded and caught fire after switching off their radar and navigation systems and ignoring warnings from the IRGC navy. Later on Thursday, another tanker also caught fire east of the strait after hitting mines in a restricted area. The presence of mines in the crucial waterway has led to ongoing tensions, with Iran repeatedly reporting vessels struck sea mines in recent weeks. During this time, the United States has continued to challenge Iran's claims, with US Central Command reaffirming that all mines in primary transit routes have been cleared. Now, Iran's army has reported yet another incident, adding to the mounting pressure and uncertainty in the strategically vital strait that normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption. The United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and provided additional assistance to Gulf countries to ensure tanker passage through Hormuz. (AFP)

On Thursday, the Iranian army challenged the US Central Command's claim, urging proof of mine clearance through independent evidence rather than unsubstantiated statements. This challenge comes amid rising tensions, with the US reporting it has helped Gulf countries export 1.5 billion barrels of oil via Hormuz since the summer. Meanwhile, the Iranian Guards Corps reiterated that the unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz is mined and urged vessel owners to navigate these routes at their own risk. These consecutive incidents underscore the volatile situation in the region, highlighting ongoing disputes over maritime safety and control in the Strait of Hormuz. (AFP)