Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy said four oil tankers caught fire and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. The navy said they had been trying to use routes it described as unauthorised. A fourth tanker, carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude, reportedly hit a mine and was burning.
Reuters could not immediately verify the navy’s statement. Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre reported that a crude oil tanker had been struck by an unknown projectile about 40 nautical miles south of Lavan Island, causing a fire.
Shipping risk in the strait
UKMTO said the vessel hit by the projectile had a fire on board and that its crew were reported safe. It reported no environmental impact. It was unclear whether that ship was one of the four tankers the Guards cited.
The strait carries about one-fifth of global oil supplies. Tensions there have persisted since US-Israeli strikes on Iran at the end of February.
Competing claims over a drone
Iranian state media said forces had downed and captured an MQM-170 US drone over Qeshm island. Iran also claimed to have destroyed an unmanned US vessel. US Central Command denied that, saying all its unmanned surface vessels in the Middle East are accounted for.
Related: Iran changes tactics to target ships in Hormuz, officials say
Source: Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy
