Iran Says Two Tankers Hit Mines and Caught Fire in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said on Saturday that two oil tankers had caught fire after hitting naval mines while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported, citing the official Iranian news agency IRNA.

State media said both tankers were carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil. There was no independent confirmation of the reports, Reuters said. No vessel name, crew information or casualty figure was given in the Iranian reports.

IRNA reported that the vessels had switched off their positioning and radar systems and attempted to use an unauthorised route through the waterway. The second vessel was left immobilised after striking a mine, IRNA added.

Two announcements in one morning

State media first reported on Saturday morning that one supertanker had struck a mine while trying to transit the strait on a route not authorised by Iran. Euronews reported that the tanker was carrying more than two million barrels of oil, that the strike caused a massive explosion and a fierce fire, and that the exact place of the incident was unclear. Iran's Fars news agency posted a video appearing to show the vessel ablaze.

Anadolu Agency later reported a second IRGC statement saying a second supertanker had also struck a naval mine and caught fire. The mine caused a major explosion in the vessel's engine room and left the tanker immobilised, the statement said. Press TV reported the same engine room explosion.

In its statement, the IRGC Navy said the strait was closed under Iranian regulations and warned of severe consequences for vessels that defy them. IRGC Navy Commander Ali Azmaei said on state run IRIB TV on Tuesday that his forces monitor the strait around the clock.

The United States says the strait is open

The United States has rejected Iran's claim to control the waterway. Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, said in an update on Friday that US forces were working with regional allies and partners in the shipping industry to help protect vessels in the strait. He said the strait is controlled by the United States and its regional partners, not Iran, and that it remains open for business, Euronews reported.

Attacks have surged in the past two weeks

The reported mine strikes are the latest in a run of attacks on shipping around the strait. Maritime officials said on Wednesday that a container ship and a dry bulk carrier sank near the strait after being hit by projectiles in separate incidents, Reuters reported.

Attacks around the waterway have surged over the past two weeks, Reuters said, with Iran saying it is stepping up strikes in response to the US blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions imposed last month. Disruptions to shipping in the waterway since the US and Israeli war on Iran began on February 28 have pushed up global energy prices and inflation.

Before the war, the strait carried about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade, which is why any new incident there moves energy markets fast. Traders were already watching oil prices above 110 dollars a barrel on Saturday morning after a slide in technology shares on Friday.

Until shipping firms, insurers or maritime agencies confirm damage, the only account of Saturday's fires comes from Iranian state media and the IRGC itself.