Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Oct 17: Iran's government-funded broadcaster Press TV has released footage attributed to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), purportedly showing a crude oil supertanker exploding and catching fire after striking a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the IRGC Navy, the vessel was attempting to cross the strategic waterway through what it described as an “unauthorised” route when the incident occurred. Iranian authorities claimed that the tanker had switched off its navigation, positioning and tracking systems before entering the route.
In its statement, the IRGC Navy said the supertanker was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil when it struck the mine, triggering a massive explosion and an intense fire. The force claimed that the blaze was visible from coastal areas.
Press TV shared footage purportedly showing the vessel engulfed in flames. However, the identity of the tanker, the precise location of the incident and the circumstances surrounding the reported explosion have not been independently established.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important shipping routes. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a crucial passage for international crude oil shipments.
The IRGC Navy alleged that the tanker had ignored Iranian maritime restrictions and attempted to navigate the strait without authorisation. It also accused the vessel of disabling its tracking systems to evade detection.
The Iranian force has warned commercial vessels against switching off their navigation and identification systems while transiting the waterway, saying such vessels could be treated as hostile. It has also threatened action against ships attempting to cross through routes it considers unauthorised.
The reported explosion follows a series of maritime incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Iranian authorities have repeatedly claimed that commercial vessels attempting to cross the waterway without complying with their restrictions have been involved in explosions, fires and other incidents.
Commercial shipping through the strait has faced significant disruption amid the conflict, raising concerns over maritime security, global oil supplies and energy prices. The waterway's strategic importance means that any further escalation could have wider implications for international trade and energy markets.
The latest footage and the Iranian military's account have not been independently verified. Details regarding the vessel's ownership, flag, crew and the extent of any damage remain unclear based on the available reports.