The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's naval forces announced Friday that a vessel carrying liquefied petroleum gas struck a sea mine hours earlier east of the Strait of Hormuz, causing a major explosion.
In a written statement, the Revolutionary Guard said the vessel was attempting to pass through the “unlicensed and dangerous southern route” when it struck the mine. The statement did not disclose the vessel's name, flag or the fate of its crew. Tasnim news agency described the vessel as a liquefied petroleum gas tanker.
The footage released by the Revolutionary Guard shows a vessel emitting thick columns of black smoke at sea.
Third incident in two days
The incident came a day after the Iranian military said two oil tankers had struck sea mines east of the strait and caught fire, and hours after the Revolutionary Guard announced that it had destroyed a US early-warning radar in Bahrain in response to an attack on the city of Sirik. Tehran had announced the renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz on July 12, threatening to target vessels crossing “without permission” outside the route it had designated.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) described Israeli media reports that US strikes on Iran had resumed as “pure speculation,” while the United States issued no comment on the reported attack in Bahrain.
Video: Iranian Revolutionary Guard