The key facts

  • IRGC: supertanker struck a mine east of the Strait of Hormuz, fire broke out on board
  • The vessel and information about casualties are not disclosed
  • Implementation of the June 18 US-Iran memorandum on freedom of navigation stalled due to disagreements over security in the strait

Tanker hits a mine

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday that a supertanker struck a mine while passing through an unsafe area east of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the IRGC Navy, the explosion caused a fire on board the vessel. The agency did not name the tanker and provided no information about casualties, Anadolu reports.

Warning to ships and context

The IRGC warned ships in the region about the danger of passing through unsafe parts of the strait and urged vessels transiting the waterway not to switch off their tracking systems. The agency provided the following context: the United States and Israel began attacks against Iran on February 28; Tehran responded with strikes on Israel and American facilities in the region, until a ceasefire agreement was reached in April. On June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but its implementation stalled due to disagreements over security issues in the strait. The tanker incident occurred precisely in this unresolved situation: a formal agreement exists, but the sides have not agreed on practical security measures.