Iran Claims Responsibility for Supertanker Fire After U.S. Strikes Ship
An explosion and fire on a supertanker in the Strait of Hormuz followed a U.S. military strike on a vessel attempting to breach a naval blockade.
A supertanker erupted in flames in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday following an unknown projectile strike, according to officials. The incident occurred just hours after the U.S. military struck a ship attempting to break its naval blockade on Iran.
The supertanker, which has not been identified, sustained damage to its port side, leading to a fire, reported the UK Maritime Trade Operations. While the attack is under investigation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the tanker struck one of its naval mines and subsequently exploded.
The IRGC released video footage of the burning tanker, reiterating its warnings against any vessel attempting to traverse the strait without authorization. "A devastating fire is the fate of any tanker that violates the rules and disregards security in the Strait of Hormuz," the military unit stated.
Recent weeks have seen a surge in near-daily attacks by Iran in the strait, occurring as crude oil continues to flow at approximately pre-war levels under U.S. military escort. This flow undermines Iran's asserted control over the crucial shipping chokepoint.
According to the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization, at least 11 tankers were targeted in the week ending October 4, marking the highest number of strikes on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz since the war began on February 28. Another 10 attacks were reported the following week, including an incident on Monday that injured 12 Indian sailors aboard the United Arab Emirates-owned oil tanker, the On Peace.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed that its forces had neutralized a commercial cargo ship attempting to bypass the U.S. naval blockade against Iran. "A U.S. military fighter jet struck the stern of Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica (also known as the “Arika Sun”) with a precision munition, fully disabling the ship’s propulsion without harming the crew," CENTCOM stated. The ship had reportedly docked at an Iranian port and was attempting to reach international waters. U.S. forces have disabled four ships and turned back 135 others since reinstating its naval blockade three months ago.