Iranian Army reports tanker fire east of Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Army Navy reported that an oil tanker caught fire east of the Strait of Hormuz after striking a naval mine, according to a Navy statement. The statement said the vessel was sailing in a restricted area before noon on the day of the incident while its identification systems were switched off.

The Navy said the tanker caught fire after hitting the mine. It did not provide further details in the statement about the vessel's identity, flag, crew or the extent of the damage.

The Iranian Army's Navy also announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed to vessels considered in violation of its regulations until all threats had been eliminated. The statement did not specify which regulations were being enforced or what measures would be applied to vessels judged to be in violation.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a key route for global oil shipments. The Navy's statement referred to the Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE), an Iranian initiative associated with the strait, among the topics linked to the announcement.

No casualty figures, environmental impact assessment or timeline for reopening the waterway to affected vessels was included in the statement. The report by Mehr News (MNA) added that the Navy's announcement did not identify the tanker or its operator.