Supertanker With 2 Million Barrels Of Oil Explodes After Hitting Naval Mine In Hormuz

A supertanker loaded with around two million barrels of crude oil struck a naval mine while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, the tanker was using an unauthorised route to cross the strategic waterway.

The collision led to a massive explosion and fire onboard the vessel. Iranian authorities said it also switched off its tracking system while attempting to cross the Strait with the help of U.S. forces.

Iran, however, did not name the ship nor specify its location, or offer details about its owner, the flag of registration, or the condition of its crew following the incident.

Iran has tightened its grip over the Strait of Hormuz, asking ships to first get permission from the Islamic Republic before crossing the waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is situated between Iran to the north and Oman to the south. It is 30 km wide at its narrowest point and is a major route for global oil shipments.

Under normal circumstances, the Hormuz Strait handles one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments, and disruption of this route over the past months has created supply shortages, inflation, and other difficulties across the globe.

U.S. has also claimed control over Hormuz and implemented a naval blockade of Iranian ports, which is still continuing.

However, to maintain a prolonged presence in the region, the U.S. has had to deploy warships for longer periods in the Middle East, with the crew on one of the aircraft carriers reporting food shortages, lack of hygiene, and deteriorating mental health.

U.S. and Iran have not been able to reach an agreement to end the war permanently, as Iran wants to impose a fee on ships crossing the Strait while the U.S. sees it as an international waterway that should remain free for all, upholding the international law of freedom of navigation.

A few days ago, Iran’s Guards Naval Commander, Admiral Ali Ozmai, gave a strict warning to ships that they should not switch off their navigation systems while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, as this move would not be tolerated. Such ships would be treated severely, he added.