Iran’s Navy public relations office blamed mines for a tanker fire east of the Strait of Hormuz on Oct. 29, a claim adding to conflicting positions over who can pass through the strategic strait.
The office said the tanker was traveling through waters it had designated unsafe when it allegedly struck mines, caught fire and became unable to move. It gave no identifying details about the ship, its flag or its crew size.
The office said vessels passing through areas marked restricted and unsafe without prior coordination would not be allowed. It also disputed U.S. President Donald Trump’s account of passage through the strait and warned that unauthorized navigation in high-risk areas could endanger vessels and crews.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) separately assessed on Oct. 29 that the strait’s main recognized transit routes were clear of mines. The command said thousands of commercial ships had used the lanes safely and that vessels were still crossing. EconoTimes previously reported CENTCOM’s mine-clearance assessment.
