A supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after reportedly striking a mine, Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced on Saturday. The incident reportedly occurred in one of the world's most important maritime corridors for energy transport, amid the confrontation between Iran and the United States.
According to Iranian authorities, the vessel had allegedly attempted to cross the strait illegally and had received support from the U.S. military. The Revolutionary Guards claim that the tanker had disabled its tracking systems before striking the mine. Iran did not specify the exact location of the incident, and the information has not been independently confirmed.
Iranian forces released footage that they say shows a vessel engulfed in flames during the night. No details were provided about any possible casualties, the condition of the crew or the extent of the damage.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman and measuring approximately 30 kilometers at its narrowest point, was crossed without authorization from Tehran before the conflict. Approximately one-fifth of the world's transported hydrocarbons passed through this area.
Iran is currently restricting navigation, citing security and sovereignty concerns, while the United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and is escorting tankers. The incident is heightening tensions at a strategic point for international energy trade.
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