Supertanker ablaze after hitting mine in Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Guards say
Iran's Revolutionary Guards say a tanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude caught fire. There is no independent confirmation, and the U.S. military says it controls the strait.
Graphic: TERRA WORLD NEWS (own graphic based on the sources listed)
A supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil struck a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz and caught fire, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said. The Guards' navy said on Saturday the vessel had taken an "unauthorized" route and switched off its positioning and radar systems. It did not give the tanker's name, flag or crew, and it was unclear when and where exactly the incident took place. Iranian media released video said to show a burning ship. The British maritime security agency UKMTO did not initially report the incident, according to The Associated Press.
In its statement, the IRGC declared the strait closed and threatened vessels defying Iranian rules. U.S. Central Command has for days disputed such accounts, saying the strait has been cleared of mines and that ships are being hit by projectiles. CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said on Friday: "Let me be clear: The Strait of Hormuz is controlled by the United States and our regional partners, not Iran." He said 400 ships carrying 100 million barrels of oil had passed through the strait over the past week.
UKMTO said at least 12 ships were attacked in the week to Oct. 16, adding that the real number is likely higher. On Saturday it also reported a rocket-propelled grenade attack on a tanker about 78 nautical miles northeast of Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Brent crude touched $110 a barrel on Friday for the first time since May.