ISTANBUL: An oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday after reportedly striking a naval mine while travelling outside a navigation corridor designated by Iran, according to Iranian media reports.
A source cited by Defapress and reported by the semi-official Mehr News Agency said the vessel had departed from the maritime route prescribed by Iranian authorities before hitting the mine in the strategically vital waterway.
Officials have not disclosed the identity of the tanker, the number of people on board, or whether there were any casualties. The full extent of the damage also remains unknown as investigations continue.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes. On 26 June, Iran reiterated that commercial vessels must use navigation corridors designated by Tehran when passing through the strait.
Relations between Iran and the United States have deteriorated in recent weeks following military exchanges. Washington launched strikes on Iranian targets, while Tehran responded by targeting what it described as US military facilities and equipment across the region.
The diplomatic rift widened further on 8 July when US President Donald Trump declared the previous month’s memorandum of understanding with Iran “over,” accusing Tehran of failing to comply with its commitments.
The announcement followed attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and renewed disagreements over navigation procedures. While the United States has called for unrestricted freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway, Iran maintains that vessels should transit via a coastal shipping lane managed under its navigation system.
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