A supertanker caught fire when it was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, officials said — just hours after the US struck a ship attempting to break its naval blockade on Iran.
The attacked supertanker, which was not immediately identified, was hit on its port side, causing a fire to break out, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations.
While the attack is still under investigation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that the tanker struck one of its naval mines and exploded.
The IRGC shared video of the tanker ablaze in the water as it reiterated its threats on any ship attempting to cross the strait without its permission.
“A devastating fire is the fate of any tanker that violates the rules and disregards security in the Strait of Hormuz,” the military unit said in a statement.
Iran has launched near daily attacks in the strait in recent weeks as crude oil continues to flow at around pre-war levels under US military escort, undermining Tehran’s control over the shipping chokepoint.
At least 11 tankers have come under attack during the week that ended Oct. 4, the most strikes on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz since the war began Feb. 28, according to the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization.
Another 10 strikes occurred last week, including one Monday that left 12 Indian sailors injured aboard the United Arab Emirates-owned On Peace oil tanker.
The latest attack came just hours after US Central Command confirmed that it took out a commercial cargo ship attempting to run the US’s naval blockade against Iran.
“A US military fighter jet struck the stern of Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica (also known as the “Arika Sun”) with a precision munition, fully disabling the ship’s propulsion without harming the crew,” CENTCOM wrote in a statement.
The ship had allegedly docked at an Iranian port and was attempting to leave the region for international waters, CENTCOM added.
US forces have disabled four ships and turned around another 135 since it renewed its naval blockade three months ago.
With Post Wires
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