World·Strait of Hormuz
Update: Iran's Guards now claim a third tanker hit a mine near Hormuz; maritime monitors say recent claims are unproven
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Tuesday that a third oil tanker, carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude, 'exploded and caught fire' after striking a naval mine south of the Strait of Hormuz, adding to their claim that two other tankers were set ablaze, AFP reported via Arab News. None of the ships were identified, and gCaptain reported that the Joint Maritime Information Center said in its Oct. 18 advisory there was 'no substantiation' for Iran's earlier claim of two supertanker mine strikes on Oct. 17. The same advisory kept the Strait's threat level at SEVERE and said traffic remained about 70% below prewar levels, gCaptain reported.
Sources
- Arab News (AFP)Iran Guards say three tankers hit mines crossing Hormuz strait
- gCaptainIran Claims More Tankers Hit Mines in Hormuz, But Evidence Remains Elusive