An oil tanker caught fire after striking a naval mine while sailing in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian Navy said.

According to a statement from the Public Relations Department of the Iranian Army Navy, the incident occurred before noon when an oil tanker travelling in the eastern waters of the Strait of Hormuz hit a naval mine.

The statement said the tanker caught fire following the explosion caused by the mine, while details about the extent of the damage and the condition of the crew were not immediately disclosed.

Iran accuses tanker of violating navigation rules

The Iranian Navy claimed that the tanker had switched off its identification systems and was travelling in an unauthorized area.

The statement did not provide further details about the vessel's identity or the circumstances that led to the incident.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world's most important energy transit routes, with a significant portion of global oil shipments passing through the waterway.

Tensions continue over Strait of Hormuz

Iran had announced that it closed the Strait of Hormuz again on 12 July following the resumption of US attacks on 8 July.

Tehran had previously warned that vessels travelling outside designated routes or passing through what it described as unauthorized areas could be targeted.

The latest incident comes amid continued tensions surrounding maritime security and energy routes in the Gulf region.(ILKHA)