Fires break out on three tankers after mine blasts in Strait of Hormuz

Iranian state media reported that three oil tankers caught fire on Saturday after striking sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, citing the Iranian navy.

One tanker was hit by a sea mine in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the day, while two other tankers struck mines later on.

According to the official IRNA news agency, the Revolutionary Guard Navy said of the evening incident: "Two violating tankers were attempting to sneak through a restricted route in the Strait of Hormuz when they struck sea mines, exploded, and caught fire."

Reuters has not yet been able to independently verify the report.

Iran imposes restrictions on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz and has carried out attacks on vessels it claims violate these rules, as part of efforts to assert control over this strategic waterway and increase pressure on the United States.