TEHRAN: An oil tanker caught fire on Wednesday, November 11 after striking a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian military authorities confirmed the incident through official state media. They stated that the vessel was moving through an area designated as unsafe by Tehran.
According to statements carried by the state news agency, the ship was navigating waters east of the strategic passage. Military officials classified the vessel as an unauthorized tanker. They claimed the ship had switched off its navigation tracking systems and ignored multiple radio warnings from naval patrols before hitting the mine. The detonation caused an onboard fire and forced the vessel to come to a complete halt.
The development reflects ongoing security tensions in the vital maritime corridor. In normal conditions, the Strait of Hormuz carries roughly twenty percent of global petroleum supplies. Iranian armed forces have imposed strict passage rules across the waterway following the escalation of regional conflict earlier this year. Tehran has insisted that all commercial vessels must obtain official clearance before using specific shipping lanes.
In response to the restrictions, United States forces have conducted escort operations to help commercial traffic navigate the area.
In recent weeks, Tehran have reported several similar mine strikes and vessel fires. Navigation through the waterway remains under strict observation as regional tensions continue to impact international shipping routes.
(With inputs from media reports)