A supertanker attempting to navigate an unauthorized route south of the Strait of Hormuz struck two naval mines and caught fire, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC Navy).

The IRGC Navy said Monday that the vessel attempted to transit through a prohibited southern route in the strategic waterway before hitting two sea mines. The explosions triggered severe fires aboard the tanker and brought the vessel to a complete stop.

According to the statement, the incident occurred after the tanker disregarded navigation and security regulations announced for transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC Navy described the route used by the vessel as illegal and warned that ships attempting to bypass the designated regulations could face serious consequences.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important maritime passages, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Large volumes of global energy shipments pass through the waterway, making maritime security in the area particularly significant for international trade and energy markets.

Following the incident, the IRGC Navy reiterated its warning to commercial vessels and shipping companies operating in the area, stressing that compliance with its announced transit regulations is mandatory.

The force said shipping companies should not allow any provocations by the United States military to influence their decisions or put vessels and crews at unnecessary risk.

“Compliance with the rules announced by the IRGC Navy for transit is mandatory,” the statement said, while accusing the U.S. military of encouraging actions that could endanger commercial shipping.

The IRGC Navy further warned that vessels violating the security regulations governing passage through the Strait of Hormuz could face consequences similar to those suffered by the tanker.

The statement did not provide further details about the vessel's identity, its cargo, the extent of the damage or whether there were casualties among the crew.

The incident highlights the heightened risks facing commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where tensions between Iran and the United States have repeatedly raised concerns over the safety of international maritime traffic. (ILKHA)