UKMTO reports Hormuz tanker incident as Tehran cites tanker mine strike

The UK Maritime Trade Operations authority said it had received a report of an incident involving a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, while the Iranian military said an oil tanker caught fire this morning after striking a mine east of the strait. The incident came a day after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that three tankers had exploded in a single day.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations authority (UKMTO) said it had received a report of an incident involving a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the crew's condition, possible damage and the environmental impact remain unknown and that the relevant authorities are investigating the incident.

The authority urged vessels transiting the area to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity to it.

Iranian military: Tanker caught fire after striking a mine

In a statement from the Public Relations Department of the Iranian Army's Navy, Tehran said: “This morning, an oil tanker caught fire after striking a mine in the unsafe and restricted area east of the Strait of Hormuz.” The statement added that naval units had reached the scene and that the situation was under control, without disclosing the tanker's name or flag.

The statement urged ship owners to “coordinate with the Iranian armed forces to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.” It was not clear whether the report received by the British authority concerned the same tanker mentioned by the Iranian military.

Three tankers in one day

The incident came a day after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Navy announced that a third oil tanker had taken an unauthorized route, struck a naval mine and exploded yesterday afternoon. It said the vessel continued to burn east of the strait and that smoke covered the sky.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman Hossein Mohebbi also told state television that two oil tankers that tried to cross the strait yesterday morning “were involved in an incident” despite support from a U.S. F-35 fighter jet, and that their passage was prevented. Mohebbi did not provide details about the nature of the incident; however, Iranian officials usually use this expression to refer to vessels striking mines, Anadolu Agency reported.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that tankers using “illegal” routes now face far greater risks than before, following the destruction of coastal radars and navigation-support systems belonging to the U.S. military south of the strait.

Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz again on July 12 after the United States resumed its attacks on July 8, and threatened to target vessels crossing outside the route it had designated or “without permission.” Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said yesterday that the strait would not reopen until Tehran's seven conditions were implemented.

Photo: Anadolu Agency

UKMTO reports Hormuz tanker incident as Tehran cites tanker mine strike