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Iran’s Army Navy said on Wednesday that an oil tanker caught fire after reportedly striking naval mines in waters east of the Strait of Hormuz, describing the vessel as operating illegally within a restricted maritime zone.
According to a military statement cited by Xinhua news agency, the incident occurred early Wednesday while the tanker was navigating waters Tehran considers unsafe and prohibited.
The Iranian Navy said its forces were monitoring the eastern section of the strategic waterway and maintained that vessels must coordinate their passage with the Iranian armed forces and comply with the country’s maritime regulations.
Separately, Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi warned the United States and Israel against actions that could further escalate tensions. He said any location used to threaten Iran’s existence would face direct attacks through asymmetric military operations.
Abdollahi added that the armed forces would follow instructions from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei without delay.
The development follows an announcement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy on Tuesday about two oil tankers allegedly taking an unauthorised route through the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC claimed both vessels had switched off their navigation and identification systems before explosions and fires halted their journeys. It alleged that one tanker struck naval mines, while the second caught fire during an incident involving assistance from US fighter aircraft.
The force warned that vessels attempting to cross the restricted corridor with US military support could face similar consequences.
Iran tightened restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, barring vessels associated with Israel and the United States from safe passage following joint military strikes against Iranian territory.
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