An oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz after striking a naval mine, according to reports from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-linked Tasnim news agency on Sunday.
The agency stated that the vessel collided with the explosive device while attempting to transit the narrow waterway, which serves as a vital artery for global energy supplies.
The report comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with no immediate official confirmation from Iranian authorities regarding the incident.
The lack of independent verification underscores the challenges in assessing the true scale of disruptions in the strait, where conflicting narratives often emerge from state-affiliated media outlets.
This event follows a series of alarming incidents in recent weeks, including reports of two other oil tankers striking mines and catching fire while navigating the same corridor.
Additionally, a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker was reported to be at risk of explosion after Iran fired missiles at vessels in the area overnight, according to earlier reports from the Australian Financial Review and Brecorder.