Vessel Fire in Strait of Hormuz Extinguished After Explosive Attack
A ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz caught fire when two explosives attached to its hull detonated; the fire was put out and the crew remained unharmed.
A vessel traveling outbound in the Strait of Hormuz experienced a fire after two explosive devices were attached to its hull and detonated, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported. The incident occurred about 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, and temporarily disabled the ship's engine room. The fire has since been extinguished, the crew is safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port.
UKMTO said a smaller craft approached the vessel and placed the explosives above the waterline, but the identity of the attackers remains unknown. Earlier on the same day, the agency had received a report that a tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the strait.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later claimed that three oil tankers had caught fire after hitting mines while using an unauthorized southern route and ignoring IRGC warnings. The IRGC statement, quoted by IRNA, warned that any provocative action backed by the United States would receive a firm response.