ISTANBUL – Iran’s navy reported Friday that an oil tanker caught fire in the Gulf of Oman while allegedly attempting to pass through a restricted maritime zone east of the Strait of Hormuz with its tracking systems switched off.
According to a statement broadcast by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, naval surveillance teams detected the burning vessel while monitoring the eastern section of the strategic waterway.
Iranian naval officials said the tanker had disabled its tracking equipment and was navigating an area designated as prohibited. The navy warned that unauthorized movements through restricted maritime zones could threaten the safety and security of other vessels.
The statement did not disclose the tanker’s name, flag, operator or the cause of the fire. Authorities also provided no details about possible casualties or the condition of the crew.
Series of Maritime Incidents Raises Concerns
The latest incident follows several reported maritime emergencies in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has imposed restrictions on commercial shipping.
On Tuesday, Iran’s navy reported that another oil tanker caught fire after being damaged while attempting to cross a restricted zone east of the strait with its tracking systems disabled.
A day later, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said a container ship carrying more than 2,500 containers sank after striking a naval mine while allegedly using an unauthorized route south of the waterway.
Following the sinking, the IRGC Navy warned local vessels and fishermen to remain cautious because containers were floating on the surface of the water.
These incidents have heightened maritime security concerns amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States over navigation rights through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and natural gas shipments.
Commercial shipping through the waterway has faced major disruptions since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.
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