Three vessels caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday night, according to a statement from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard carried by the official IRNA news agency.
A large oil tanker struck a mine while attempting to pass through an unauthorized route south of the strait. The tanker caught fire and came to a halt.
In a separate incident, another supertanker caught fire while leaving the route in the eastern part of the strait. A tugboat approaching to help extinguish the blaze also caught fire.
The Revolutionary Guard stated that its navy’s electronic warfare unit had taken control of two Lucas-type aircraft that it described as intruding. The guard claimed that its navy continued to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The Revolutionary Guard accused the United States of encouraging vessels to violate restrictions and pass through a mined route. It said the resulting damage would impose heavy insurance costs on US taxpayers and regional allies.
The guard warned that attempts to violate the rules governing passage through the strait would lead to financial losses and political setbacks for Washington.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important maritime routes. It carries large volumes of oil and gas exports from Gulf countries to international markets.
The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on 28 February, before a ceasefire was reached in April.
Fighting between Washington and Tehran resumed in July amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the war.
