Another oil tanker hit by mine in the Strait of Hormuz, tensions continue to escalate

1. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported on Sunday that a new incident involving a supertanker occurred in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian authorities, the oil tanker struck a mine while attempting to leave the area using an unauthorized route, after which the engine room exploded and caught fire. The vessel was carrying crude oil at the time, but Iranian media have not yet revealed the tanker's name or flag state. 2. According to the military statement, the crew allegedly switched off the navigation system before entering the unauthorized route. The Revolutionary Guard used this occasion to once again warn vessels passing through the area without authorization, stating that any ship shutting down its navigation and identification systems while passing through the Strait of Hormuz will be regarded as a "hostile vessel" and will face "severe and decisive measures."3. The previous day, another supertanker also struck a mine and caught fire while attempting to pass through a route Tehran deemed unauthorized. These incidents are in line with the rising trend of attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which has further reduced oil shipments through this passage.4. The current tensions are also reflected in Iran's warnings regarding control over vessel passage, as well as the efforts by the United States to restore maritime traffic along this strategic route near Oman.