Hormuz oil tanker on fire after mine strike, Iran says

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Monday that an oil tanker caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after striking a naval mine south of the waterway.

Iranian state media quoted the Guards as saying the tanker was “in violation” and that the mine caused an explosion and a fire in its engine room.

The Guards said the vessel was travelling on the strait's “unauthorized southern route” and had disabled its positioning and navigation systems.

The incident came a day after the Guards said two oil tankers caught fire in the strait, both after hitting mines.

Guards naval commander Admiral Ali Ozmaei warned this week that any vessel that deactivated its navigation systems would be considered “hostile”.

Iran seized control of the Strait of Hormuz after war broke out against the United States and Israel in late February. The waterway normally carries about a fifth of the world's oil, and Iran has demanded that all ships seek its authorisation before transiting.

The United States has imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian oil exports in response to Tehran's blockade of the waterway.