Guard says vessels used 'unauthorized route'

UK maritime agency also confirms fire reports

Black smoke billows from the Thai cargo ship Mayuri Nari after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked it in the Strait of Hormuz in March. A container ship operated by Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines was also attacked while at anchor that day, as Iran's strikes on vessels in Gulf waters intensified. [AFP]
Black smoke billows from the Thai cargo ship Mayuri Nari after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked it in the Strait of Hormuz in March. A container ship operated by Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines was also attacked while at anchor that day, as Iran's strikes on vessels in Gulf waters intensified. [AFP]

Iran said three oil tankers caught fire after striking mines while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, though the exact time of the incidents and the vessels' flags of registry have not been confirmed.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement Thursday (local time) that "three oil tankers that violated regulations attempted to pass through the unauthorized southern route of the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours, struck mines and caught fire in the resulting explosions."

The Guard said the vessels "had switched off all radar and navigation equipment and ignored warnings from the IRGC Navy."

Since war broke out on Feb. 28, Iran has imposed strict restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas consumption. In response, the United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran has said that CENTCOM, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, has been directing vessels to use the southern route near Oman. Iran considers that route illegal and has attacked ships attempting to use it.

The IRGC Navy warned that "mines have been laid in the unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz, and responsibility for transiting that route rests with the shipowners and crew — mariners should not heed the delusions CENTCOM posts on social media."

Earlier Thursday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations also said it had received reports of a vessel fire in the Strait of Hormuz, but did not release details on the cause or whether there were any casualties.


hajun825@heraldcorp.com