World·Iran
Update: Tanker set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz after a small boat attached two explosives to its hull, UKMTO says; Iran now claims four tankers hit mines
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency said a small boat attached two explosive devices to a tanker's hull about 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, on Thursday, sparking an engine-room fire that temporarily disabled the ship; the crew was safe and the vessel continued to its next port, Reuters reported. Seatrade Maritime said security firm Vanguard Tech identified the tanker as the Panama-flagged Louise 1 and that a second vessel was struck by an unknown projectile hours earlier, while Reuters said it was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said four tankers hit mines and demanded the U.S. "prove" its claim that the main shipping lanes had been cleared of mines, CNBC reported.
Sources
- Arab News (Reuters)Fire-hit tanker continues journey after being attacked in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says
- Seatrade MaritimeTanker catches fire in Hormuz after explosives attached to hull
- CNBCIran claims four tankers struck mines in Hormuz as strike fears grow after U.S. midterms