TEHRAN, Oct 29 — Three oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking sea mines while attempting to navigate an unauthorised route south of the Strait of Hormuz, IRNA reported, citing the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) navy.
In a statement today, IRGC said the incidents occurred over the past 24 hours, leaving the tankers stranded along the southern coast of the waterway.
The statement said the vessels had switched off their radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings from the navy as they attempted to leave through the unauthorised southern route.
The navy warned the route is littered with mines, holding the vessels’ owners and crews responsible for using it. It also urged them not to rely on “illusions” promoted by the United States Central Command on social media.
“Facts on the ground will speak for themselves. Any provocative action backed by the aggressive and terrorist US military that disregards the regulations governing the strait will be met with a firm response,” the statement read.
