Two supertankers were immobilised following powerful explosions after allegedly ignoring warnings not to take an unauthorised route in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday night, according to a statement by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Navy.
The Guards said the two oil tankers suffered a “violent explosion” while travelling along an unauthorised route. They did not disclose the vessels’ names or flags.
Tehran claims control of the strategically important waterway, through which one fifth of the world’s hydrocarbons passed before the outbreak of the war in the Middle East.
Similar announcements from Iran have become more frequent in recent weeks. The Revolutionary Guards have said vessels caught fire after striking naval mines, while Washington says it has largely cleared the Strait of Hormuz of mines. On several occasions, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the British maritime security information service, has reported that tankers were struck by unidentified projectiles in the area.
According to the Guards, the two supertankers were carrying more than four million barrels of oil. They added that the vessels caught fire because of “blind trust” in the US military, which was supposed to protect them.
Source: CNA
