Two Oil Tankers Catch Fire in Strait of Hormuz After Hitting Mines, Iran Says

Two oil tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting naval mines while attempting to cross routes not authorized by Iran, the state-run IRNA news agency reported Sunday. The vessels were engulfed in intense flames, and their names and nationalities were not disclosed. According to IRNA, one tanker was in the eastern part of the strait and the other within the passage itself, with both having disabled their navigation and positioning systems before the attempt. Explosion-like sounds were also reported overnight on Qeshm Island and in southern Iranian cities, though the cause was not specified. Iran claims control of the strait, which carried about 20% of global hydrocarbon production before the war began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks. Iranian forces regularly target unauthorized vessels, while the U.S. has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and escorts tankers in the region, with negotiations stalled.