Burning oil tanker detected south of Strait of Hormuz; Iran cites violation

Iran's army said a burning oil tanker was detected in a prohibited zone in the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz. According to a statement by the Public Relations Unit of the Iranian Army Navy, surveillance teams that continuously monitor the east of the strait spotted the burning tanker. It was also claimed that the ship was struck and a large hole opened in its hull.

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Iran's statement

The statement said the tanker had switched off its tracking systems despite earlier warnings and tried to pass through the prohibited zone in the strait's southern corridor. The Iranian army stressed that the consequences of uncoordinated passages belong to those violating the rules, and that such behavior leads to the spread of insecurity.

In a written statement, the Revolutionary Guards Army said a vessel called a 'super tanker' because of its capacity of about 2 million barrels of oil tried to pass through the strait. According to the Guards, the tanker switched off its radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings. The statement said ship owners and crews in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman are responsible for passages along unauthorized routes, and that any attempt disregarding the strait's security would be met with determination. The Guards also said the strait is full of mines and warned ships:

The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Do not pass!

Iran's Revolutionary Guards

Background

Iran had announced on July 12 that it was closing the Strait of Hormuz again after the US resumed attacks on July 8. Tehran had threatened to target ships passing outside its designated route and without permission.