The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has announced that a violating oil tanker struck a naval mine in the southern reaches of the Strait of Hormuz, triggering an explosion and fire in its engine room.
In a statement released early on Monday, the IRGC Navy Public Relations office said the vessel had been attempting to exit the strategic waterway.
From the start of its voyage, the tanker switched off all its positioning and navigation systems and, in clear disregard of the regulations governing the Strait of Hormuz, sought to cross via an unauthorized southern route before encountering the incident.
The IRGC Navy stated that any vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf that deactivate their navigation and identification systems will be met with a firm and decisive response.
Source: Press tv