Two More Oil Tankers Burn in Strait of Hormuz

Two more oil tankers are ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting naval mines while attempting unauthorized crossings, according to Iran's official IRNA news agency on Sunday. The agency reported explosions-like sounds were heard overnight on Qeshm Island, Sirik, Jask, and Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. The tankers had disabled navigation and positioning systems, and their names and nationalities were not disclosed. Tehran has increased such announcements recently, while Washington claims most mines have been cleared. Iran asserts control over the strait, which carried one-fifth of global hydrocarbon exports before the Middle East war began February 28. The US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, and negotiations remain deadlocked.