IRGC: Oil supertanker struck by sea mine in Hormuz
Shafaq News- Tehran
A crude oil supertanker exploded after striking a sea mine while attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz via an unauthorized route, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday.
In a statement, the IRGC’s naval forces said the tanker had switched off its navigation and positioning systems.
No further details were provided about the vessel’s identity or ownership.
On Friday, the IRGC warned that shipping companies complying with US instructions could face sanctions and threatened to pursue vessels using routes Tehran considers unauthorized, including those beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters documented at least 12 attacks, attempted strikes, or harassment incidents involving tankers near the waterway between Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, citing maritime security sources.
Shipping activity has also declined sharply. Kpler data cited by Reuters showed that just seven commodity vessels crossed the strait on Oct. 6, the lowest daily total since July 23. Crude oil flows stood at approximately 10.1 million barrels per day, about 74% of prewar levels.
