Iranian state media stated that the two tankers, including one supertanker, attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz without coordinating with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Traffic Control Centre. Prior to the blasts, Iranian forces claimed they struck a U.S. early-warning radar in Bahrain following an alleged American strike on a telecommunications tower in Iran. U.S. Central Command denied that any facility was damaged, stating its forces shot down two incoming Iranian drones.
Key points
Maritime operators face strict enforcement from Iranian authorities requiring adherence t…: Maritime operators face strict enforcement from Iranian authorities requiring adherence to Traffic Control Centre navigation protocols in the strait.
Military skirmishes between American and Iranian forces are escalating surrounding mariti…: Military skirmishes between American and Iranian forces are escalating surrounding maritime surveillance assets and alleged infrastructure strikes.
Conflicting official accounts between Tehran and Washington highlight worsening regional…: Conflicting official accounts between Tehran and Washington highlight worsening regional instability across critical Middle Eastern shipping lanes.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Tehran: Two oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz exploded and caught fire after striking naval mines, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said on Friday (local time).
According to a statement reported by Iranian state media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC Navy said that the two vessels were attempting to transit through the strategically important waterway without coordinating with Iranian authorities and had switched off their radar and positioning systems.
"An hour ago, two oil tankers, which were secretly attempting to transit the unauthorised Strait of Hormuz with their radar and positioning systems turned off, exploded and caught fire after hitting a naval mine," the statement said.
Describing the incident, the Iranian naval force further claimed that one of the vessels was a supertanker, whose flames illuminated the southern shores of the Strait of Hormuz during the night.
The IRGC Navy also issued a warning to shipping owners and companies, cautioning them against attempting to navigate the waterway without coordinating with its Traffic Control Centre and adhering to Iranian arrangements for the…
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