IRGC says supertanker with 2 million barrels of oil hit mine in Strait of Hormuz
In short
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on 20 October that a supertanker carrying 2 million barrels of oil hit a mine in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz and caught fire. The IRGC said the vessel had switched off its tracking systems and was on a route not agreed with Tehran. Kommersant said no injured crew members were reported.
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The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) of Iran said on 20 October that a supertanker hit a mine in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, and a fire broke out on board. Interfax cited a statement carried by the IRNA agency, which said the supertanker had violated shipping rules. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The IRGC said the tanker was carrying 2 million barrels of oil, according to Interfax. RIA Novosti and Kommersant wrote that it carried more than 2 million barrels. Kommersant said an explosion and fire occurred on the vessel and attributed the report to the press service of the IRGC naval forces. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
According to the IRGC, the vessel did not agree its route through the strait with Tehran. Interfax said it had switched off automatic identification systems, RIA Novosti said it turned off navigation systems, and Kommersant said radar and navigation systems were off. RIA Novosti and Kommersant added that the tanker ignored IRGC naval warnings. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Kommersant said no injured crew members were reported. The IRGC said it would stop any attempts to breach shipping security in the strait; Kommersant quoted the IRGC as saying that actions endangering security there would be firmly suppressed. [ 2 , 4 ]
Interfax added that the IRGC has repeatedly warned of the danger of using the southern route, which runs near the coast of Oman, and has stressed that the strait remains under its observation and full control. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The IRGC said it would stop any attempt to breach shipping security in the strait. The documents give no independent account of the incident, the vessel or its owner, so the claims rest on the IRGC statement as relayed by the outlets.
Key facts
- The IRGC said a supertanker hit a mine in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz and a fire started on board. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The IRGC said the tanker was carrying 2 million barrels of oil; RIA Novosti and Kommersant wrote of more than 2 million barrels. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The IRGC said the vessel had switched off its navigation systems and was following a route not agreed with Tehran. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- According to the IRGC, the tanker ignored warnings from its naval forces. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Kommersant said no injured crew members were reported. [ 4 ]
- The IRGC said it would stop any attempts to breach shipping security in the strait. [ 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the tanker hit a mine as the IRGC says Only the IRGC statement, as relayed by the outlets, describes the cause; the documents carry no independent confirmation.
- Identity, flag and owner of the tanker None of the documents names the vessel or says who owns it.
- Condition of the crew and extent of the damage Kommersant said no injured crew members were reported; the documents give no further detail on the fire or damage.
- Which systems were switched off Interfax cites automatic identification systems, RIA Novosti cites navigation systems, and Kommersant cites radar and navigation systems.