Oil tanker carrying 2 million barrels hit in Strait of Hormuz as IRGC issues warning

A taker carrying two million barrels of oil has been the latest victim of the Iran war after it struck a mine and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement reported by state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that the vessel was attempting to use an unauthorized route through the waterway . The strait has been closed for months since the war broke out. The IRGC Navy said in the statement, according to reports by Iran International English, "The tanker switched off all positioning and radar systems and attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz by deception and with the support of the smuggling and terrorist US military." To see more of the stories you love from The Mirror and to find them easily in Google then make us your preferred source. Free and easy-to-do, just click on the link here to find more from The Mirror at the top of your feed. "The Strait of Hormuz is closed," the IRGC said and warned vessels against violating Iranian rules governing passage through the strait. Iran has largely controlled movement through the Strait of Hormuz since the war started on February 28 when the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites. Iran's response: hit US bases and allies across the Middle East and choke global oil movement. This has driven up the oil price globally and pinched consumers at the pumps. Iran also closed the critical waterway and placed mines to deter vessels from trying to transit the strait. About 20% of global oil traded passed through the strait prior to the war - this stopped. The attack on the taker follows a strike on a UAE-owned cargo ship earlier this week. The ship caught alight and sank on Wednesday after being struck by a mine in the strait. Footage has captured the moment packets of perfume bottles and iPhone boxes floating near the sunken vessel as are fished out of the water by locals. The Singapore-flagged container ship, GFS Pride, was carrying the items from Dubai. The 21 crew members onboard were safely evacuated, according to Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority.