IRGC navy says two tankers hit naval mines in Strait of Hormuz, one set ablaze

The fallout of the intense tension in West Asian countries is now hitting merchant ships and sea traffic around the world. Incidents of tankers being targeted are reported to have increased in the Strait of Hormuz, considered strategically highly sensitive.

According to the latest information, the navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that two large oil tankers, including a supertanker, struck naval mines while travelling on a prohibited and unauthorised route. Powerful explosions followed. In an official statement, the public relations office of the IRGC navy said one tanker caught a massive fire after the blast. The Iranian navy also alleged that both vessels had switched off their navigation and identification systems and had completely ignored repeated warnings not to use the prohibited route. The IRGC has released visuals of the two vessels that struck the mines.

Following the incident, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued a special alert for all merchant vessels using the waterway. According to UKMTO, an attack on a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz has come to light. The master of a merchant ship made a Mayday emergency call on VHF channel 16 and reported that an unidentified object had caused major damage to another ship nearby. Maritime security agencies have since urged all vessels in the area to remain extremely vigilant and to report any suspicious activity immediately.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the targeting of the Al Mayeda, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier of Qatar Gas Transport Company, in the Arabian Gulf. In a statement on X, Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said such acts, which pose a direct threat to maritime traffic and the global energy supply, are highly condemnable. Saudi Arabia expressed full solidarity with Qatar and called for urgent international steps to ensure maritime security and strict adherence to international maritime law. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also condemned the attack on the Qatari vessel and voiced serious concern over maritime security in the Middle East.

The fresh explosions come within days of UKMTO recording an attack on a tanker some distance north-east of Khasab in Oman. According to the organisation's report, a small boat had then come alongside the vessel and placed explosive devices on its outer hull. A fire broke out in the engine room and the tanker was left completely disabled for some time. In the latest incidents, it has been confirmed that all crew on the vessels concerned are safe and that there has been no damage to the marine environment or the water.