A “supertanker” carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil caught fire after reportedly hitting a naval mine while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) said on Saturday.
The IRGC Navy said the vessel struck a mine while attempting to pass through the strategic waterway using a route that Iranian authorities had not authorised.
The collision triggered an ‘explosion’ and ‘severe fire’ on board, the Guards claimed.
“A supertanker in violation of regulations, carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil and attempting to pass illegally through the Strait of Hormuz, struck a mine, triggering an explosion and a fierce fire,” the IRGC Navy said.
The statement did not specify the exact location of the incident.
The IRGC also accused the tanker of switching off its tracking systems to avoid detection. They also claimed it was attempting to cross the waterway with US support.
“The tanker attempted to cross the strait with U.S. support… by deactivating all its tracking systems,” the Guards added, also posting a video of a vessel in flames during the night.
The statement did not identify the vessel, disclose details about its flag or operator, or provide information on the fate of its crew.
The extent of the damage caused by the reported explosion was also not specified.
Ship attacked by RPG from small boat, British maritime agency said
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) monitoring agency reported on Saturday another attack on a ship off the coast of Saudi Arabia, which took place a day early.
In a post on social media, the UKMTO said: “The master of a tanker has reported being attacked by an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) from a small boat, resulting in damage to the aft port quarter.”
Friday’s attack is the second reported by the agency on that day. The incident took place 78 nautical miles northeast of Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia.
“Crew are accounted for and reported safe,” the UKMTO said, but the full extent of the damage and environmental impact were not known at the time of the report.
Ship struck by “unknown projectile” off the coast of Saudi Arabia
UKMTO also said Saturday it had received a report of a vessel struck 68 nautical miles northeast of Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia on Friday.
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the tanker had been struck by an “unknown projectile” off the coast of Saudi Arabia.
“All crew are reported safe and have been evacuated. There is no reported environmental impact at the time of report,” the statement added.
