Three oil tankers hit by blasts in Strait of Hormuz; IRGC warns US

Tension between the United States and Iran in the Middle East has reached a new and highly dangerous point. Three huge oil tankers have been rocked by severe explosions, one after another, in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important sea routes. Large plumes of black smoke were seen rising from the vessels after the blasts. The incident has stirred the global fuel market and international politics.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has since issued a direct and stern warning to the United States.

According to a statement issued by Sepah News, Iran's official news agency, the incident took place at around 2 pm. The statement said two oil tankers were trying to pass through a restricted maritime area in violation of rules set by Iran. It said that to avoid being caught, the vessels had completely switched off their navigation system and their Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking.

According to information given by the Iranian Navy, the first supertanker struck a naval mine laid in the sea while passing through the restricted route, and a major explosion followed. At the same time, the second oil tanker was trying to slip through the route under the cover and protection of US military fighter aircraft. According to Iran, a severe explosion also occurred suddenly on this vessel, and it caught fire.

Before the situation could be brought under control after these two incidents, the Iranian Navy issued another statement at around 8.30 pm confirming an explosion on a third oil tanker. According to the Navy, this vessel too was travelling on a route Iran has declared unauthorised and dangerous, and was caught by a mine.

Following this series of blasts, the IRGC clearly cautioned the international community, and the US military in particular. Iran said: "The unauthorised routes of the Strait of Hormuz are extremely dangerous. If any vessel, relying on the US military, tries to break Iran's rules and come into our path, it will suffer similarly grave and devastating consequences."

The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20 per cent of the world's crude oil shipments, which is why it is regarded as an extremely sensitive route. On February 28, the United States and Israel jointly carried out military strikes on Iran. Since then, Iran has tightened security and surveillance on this sea route considerably.

Iran has said since then that no commercial or oil tanker vessel linked to the United States, Israel or their allies will be allowed to use the route. According to Iran, safe passage is possible only through the northern sea lanes it has designated. The routes in the southern part have been closed by laying mines. Even if the US tries to provide security to ships, Iran remains firm on maintaining its maritime sovereignty. There are fears that the new blasts could cause a sharp surge in crude oil prices worldwide and lead to war-like conditions.