Pratik AgrawalThree oil tankers struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz and caught fire, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps reported. The claim comes despite earlier US statements that the key waterway had been fully cleared of mines.
Three tankers hit mines in the Strait of Hormuz and caught fire, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced. The incident happened even though Washington had already claimed the strait was mine free.
US Had Earlier Declared The Strait Clear
The US Central Command recently stated that American forces cleared the main shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said thousands of vessels had already passed safely through the waterway since the cleanup.
Guard Corps Describes What Happened
The IRGC press office released a statement describing the blasts. According to the Guard Corps:
“Over the past 24 hours, three tankers in violation of regulations struck mines and caught fire while transiting the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz (a route prohibited by Iran).”
Ships Ignored Warnings, Military Says
Iranian forces said all three tankers had switched off their radar and navigation systems before the blasts. The IRGC added that the crews ignored repeated warnings from its naval units.
A Conflict That Refuses To Fully End
The US and Israel launched strikes on targets inside Iran on February 28. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks of its own soon after.
Fighting has since quieted down, but no formal resolution has been reached. Analysts warn that hostilities could flare up again at any time.
Hormuz Disruption Is Squeezing Global Oil Markets
The standoff between Iran and the US has nearly halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow passage is one of the world’s most important routes for oil, refined fuel, and liquefied natural gas.
As traffic through Hormuz dried up, fuel prices climbed in many countries around the world. The latest tanker blasts are likely to deepen those worries further.
Akshay Didwaniya
Aditya Didwaniya
Mayur Mohta
