The key facts

  • The Iranian Navy reports a fire on a tanker in the restricted zone near the Strait of Hormuz; the vessel's name and the crew's condition are unknown
  • GFS Pride sank after a fire — the IRGC says a naval mine, maritime sources say an unidentified projectile; Cape Dao also sank, one crew member was killed
  • CENTCOM did not comment on the incident; Iran demands permission to pass through the strait, the US says the waterway is open

Fire on a tanker in the restricted zone

An oil tanker caught fire on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman east of the Strait of Hormuz after, according to the Iranian Navy, entering a zone declared restricted by Iran with its tracking systems switched off. Iranian state media reported this, citing the navy of the army. According to the Navy, patrol groups monitoring the eastern sector of the strait discovered the burning vessel in the closed zone — the statement is quoted by the Mehr agency. This is the second such incident in the area within 24 hours: on Wednesday, Iranian media reported a fire on another tanker, which had also switched off its tracking equipment. The vessel's name and flag, the crew's condition, and the cause of the fire remain unknown. US Central Command (CENTCOM) had not commented on the incident at the time of publication.

Sunken ships and conflicting accounts

The incidents occurred against the backdrop of the loss of two commercial vessels in the same waters. The container ship GFS Pride sank on Wednesday after a fire; all 21 crew members were rescued. The IRGC said the vessel struck a naval mine, but maritime sources spoke of a hit by an unidentified projectile. The cargo ship Cape Dao, previously struck by a projectile, also sank; one crew member was killed in the initial attack.

Videos of cargo unverified

Videos circulated on social media allegedly showing cargo — mobile phones and luxury goods — drifting near the Strait of Hormuz, with people on small boats collecting the goods. A number of international media outlets published these clips, as well as separate footage of containers and debris in waters reportedly near the strait. Euronews was unable to independently verify their authenticity.

Restricted zone and dispute over control of the strait

The IRGC declared the waters leading to the Strait of Hormuz a restricted zone in September following statements by the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei. IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohbi said the zone covers part of the Gulf of Oman and part of the Arabian Sea on the approach to the strait. IRGC Navy commander Ali Azmai stated that Tehran exercises 'smart control' over the strait and that all vessels wishing to pass along the route must obtain permission — in response to US statements that the waterway remains open and under Washington's control. Tehran warned that vessels violating the rules would be held accountable. In late February, with the start of the war with the US, Iran declared the strait closed, after which Washington imposed its own naval blockade of that corridor.