Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported on 17 October that a supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil had exploded and caught fire after striking a sea mine in the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC’s naval forces stated that the vessel had attempted to pass ‘illegally’ through the strait on a route not approved by Tehran. According to the military, the tanker had switched off its navigation systems and radars and intended to pass through the strait “by deception and with the support of the US military”.
The IRGC did not disclose the name of the vessel, details of its crew or the extent of the damage. There is no independent confirmation of these claims.
Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO), which operates under the British Armed Forces, reported that it had received, with some delay, information that an unknown projectile had struck the tanker approximately 68 nautical miles north-east of the Saudi city of Al-Jubail. According to the UKMTO, the entire crew is safe and has been evacuated. There are no reports of environmental damage.