Iran's IRGC says 'violating' oil tanker exploded after hitting mine south of Hormuz Strait

TEHRAN, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced early Monday that a "violating" oil tanker suffered a blast within the preceding hours after hitting a naval mine south of the Strait of Hormuz.

This file photo taken on Feb. 19, 2025 shows the Strait of Hormuz. (File photo: Xinhua)

In a statement published on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News, the navy said the blast caused a fire in the oil tanker's engine room.

It added that the vessel had turned off its GPS and navigation systems and, in disregard of the regulations, was seeking to exit the strait through the "unauthorized" route south of the waterway.

The IRGC Navy stressed that if vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters turn off their navigation and identification systems, they will be dealt with "severely and decisively."

Iran tightened its grip on the strait on Feb. 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.