Four tankers catch fire in Strait of Hormuz after mine strikes, Iran says

The Iranian army’s navy said an oil tanker had caught fire after striking a sea mine east of the Strait of Hormuz, bringing the number of vessels hit in the strategic waterway on a single day to four.

The navy said the tanker had switched off its identification systems and was sailing in a “prohibited area” when it hit a mine before noon on November 8, IRNA reported.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had earlier said three tankers caught fire in the conduit after hitting sea mines. It said the vessels had switched off their navigation and positioning systems and were trying to use routes that Iran considers unauthorised.

Iran regards the shipping route designated by Oman south of the strait as illegal and says it has laid mines in the area. Tehran says vessels must instead pass through waters north of the strait and obtain permission from the Iranian armed forces.

Dozens of vessels have been involved in incidents around the Strait of Hormuz since mid-October, as concerns grow over a possible resumption of hostilities between Iran, the United States and Israel.

Before the US-Israeli war against Iran began in late February, about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments passed through the waterway.

Iran closed the strait to most commercial shipping days after the conflict broke out, reducing daily transits from an average of about 140 vessels to fewer than 10.

In its latest statement, the Iranian army said it would keep the Strait of Hormuz closed to vessels deemed to violate its rules.

Commercial shipping through the global energy chokepoint fell sharply over the weekend.

Data from ship-tracking firm Kpler showed that five vessels crossed on November 7, including a very large crude carrier (VLCC) with its automatic identification system switched off. No crossings were recorded on November 8, according to the data.