IRGC Navy: Second oil tanker catches fire after hitting naval mine

The Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Thursday that a second supertanker caught fire and was engulfed in massive flames after striking a naval mine. According to a statement issued by the IRGC Navy's Public Relations office, the vessel was carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil at the time of the incident.

The statement said the supertanker had attempted to travel through an unauthorized route after deactivating all of its positioning and radar systems at the guidance of the US military. Upon striking the mine, a massive explosion occurred in the vessel's engine room, bringing the ship to a complete halt.

The IRGC Navy described the vessel as a "law-breaking" and "offending" supertanker, adding that it was the second such ship to be set ablaze after colliding with a naval mine. The statement did not provide further details on the ship's identity, flag, or the exact location of the incident.

This incident follows a previous similar event in which another supertanker was reportedly set on fire after hitting a naval mine. The IRGC Navy has repeatedly warned against unauthorized movements in the region's waters, citing security concerns.

According to Mehr News, the IRGC Navy's statement emphasized that the vessel had disabled its tracking systems, which it said was done under US military guidance, and that the ship was attempting to use a route not permitted for navigation. The report added that the explosion in the engine room caused the ship to come to a complete stop.