Two oil tankers explode after hitting Iranian mines in Hormuz
File photo.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has claimed that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines planted by Iran while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The claim was made in a statement issued on state broadcaster on Sunday.
An IRGC Navy spokesman said the two vessels were traveling on an "unauthorized route" through the strait and violated regulations. He also claimed that the two ships had turned off their navigation and identification systems.
The statement said one of the two vessels was a massive oil tanker. After a powerful explosion, it caught fire. However, no details were given about the damage to the two vessels or casualties.
Earlier on Sunday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an oil tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz was damaged by an unknown object or missile. The captain of another nearby vessel had reported the incident.
Meanwhile, UKMTO said on Monday that another oil tanker was struck by two unknown objects while traveling southeast through the Gulf, 72 nautical miles east of Saudi Arabia's Ras Al Khafji. The vessel was hit on its port side. However, all crew members are safe and no environmental damage has been reported.
Since the outbreak of conflict between the United States and Iran in February, there have been a series of attacks on commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran is trying to establish control over this strategically important waterway and create pressure on Washington.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has claimed that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines planted by Iran while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The claim was made in a statement issued on state broadcaster on Sunday.
An IRGC Navy spokesman said the two vessels were traveling on an "unauthorized route" through the strait and violated regulations. He also claimed that the two ships had turned off their navigation and identification systems.
The statement said one of the two vessels was a massive oil tanker. After a powerful explosion, it caught fire. However, no details were given about the damage to the two vessels or casualties.
Earlier on Sunday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an oil tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz was damaged by an unknown object or missile. The captain of another nearby vessel had reported the incident.
Meanwhile, UKMTO said on Monday that another oil tanker was struck by two unknown objects while traveling southeast through the Gulf, 72 nautical miles east of Saudi Arabia's Ras Al Khafji. The vessel was hit on its port side. However, all crew members are safe and no environmental damage has been reported.
Since the outbreak of conflict between the United States and Iran in February, there have been a series of attacks on commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran is trying to establish control over this strategically important waterway and create pressure on Washington.
Source: Jerusalem Post
