Iran says four tankers struck mines and caught fire near Strait of Hormuz
publishers 78articles 127first reported 6 Oct, 12:46 UTCdeveloping since 6 Oct · 26 editions
Iranian forces said Thursday that four oil tankers struck naval mines and caught fire in or near the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran and Washington disputed the safety of shipping routes through the strategic waterway.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said three tankers exploded after entering what it called an unauthorised southern route during the previous 24 hours. According to the IRGC, the ships had turned off radar and navigation systems, ignored naval warnings and were later abandoned along the strait’s southern shores. Iran’s army subsequently reported that a fourth tanker was damaged and immobilised after hitting a mine east of the strait.
The ships’ identities, flags and crew conditions were not immediately disclosed. Britain’s UK Maritime Trade Operations agency separately received a report of a vessel on fire in the area, but it was unclear whether that report concerned one of the four tankers.
The incidents followed a US military assertion that mines had been cleared from primary transit routes. IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebi challenged Washington to provide independent evidence for that claim. Iran considers the southern corridor near Oman unauthorised, while the United States has been helping escort commercial vessels through Hormuz.
Shipping has fallen sharply since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28 and Tehran retaliated against vessels and regional targets. Iran has restricted passage through the strait, and the United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. The IRGC also threatened last week to strike US bases in the region if American ship escorts continue.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 7 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 552 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 78
- Source articles
- 127
- Given to the writer
- 8, 7 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 552 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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