Iran’s navy says three tankers on fire after hitting mines in Hormuz

Iran's navy reported on Saturday that three oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Al-Monitor, one tanker hit a mine in the eastern part of the Strait on Saturday morning, while two others struck mines later in the day.

The IRNA news agency, quoting the Revolutionary Guards Navy, stated that two tankers were attempting to slip through a prohibited route when they struck mines, exploded, and burst into flames. Middle East Eye reports that the IRGC Navy claimed these two tankers had switched off their tracking and navigation equipment to transit the area secretly.

Regarding the evening incident, the IRGC stated that two other tankers attempting to transit secretly complied with warnings from the Naval Force’s traffic control centre and returned toward Persian Gulf waters, according to Middle East Eye. Qatar Tribune notes that Iranian authorities reported the tankers were traveling through unauthorized or restricted areas of the waterway.

Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, Hindustan Times - World News, Ajel English, Qatar Tribune, Middle East Eye — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.