Oil tanker catches fire after hitting naval mines near Strait of Hormuz: Iranian Navy

An oil tanker caught fire and became immobilized after striking naval mines in a restricted area east of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according to the Iranian Navy. In a statement carried by the Tasnim News Agency, the Navy’s public relations office said the tanker was traveling through a prohibited and unsafe area before noon when it struck naval mines, sustaining damage and catching fire. The navy said the vessel violated maritime restrictions but did not disclose its name, flag or crew size.

It said that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to vessels attempting to pass through restricted and unsafe areas without prior coordination. The statement also accused US President Donald Trump of making misleading claims about passage through the strategic waterway. The navy warned that unauthorized navigation through high-risk areas seriously threatens the safety of vessels and their crews. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments, has faced severe disruptions since the US and Israel launched attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering a regional conflict.

Despite a Pakistan-mediated memorandum signed by Washington and Tehran on June 18, tensions about maritime restrictions and freedom of navigation through the strait have persisted.