Revolutionary Guard Claims Supertanker Struck Sea Mine in Strait of Hormuz, Engulfed in Flames

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed on the 14th (local time) that a supertanker attempting to pass through a controlled zone in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz collided with a sea mine and exploded.

In a statement released through its official media outlet Sepah News, the IRGC Navy stated, "Ignoring prior warnings regarding the risks of illegal passage, the supertanker El Gaia (IMO number 9325336) attempted to enter the zone and struck a mine."

According to the Electronic Equasis database (EQUASIS), the vessel is a 28,799-ton crude oil tanker sailing under the flag of Panama.

The IRGC stated, "Efforts to extinguish the fire have failed, and the entire tanker is currently engulfed in flames."

The statement went on to emphasize, "We firmly declare that the Strait of Hormuz is currently blockaded and under our strict intelligence monitoring and control."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.