The navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that a second "violating" supertanker had exploded in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a naval mine, hours after a similar incident involving another tanker.
In a statement published on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News, the navy said the blast occurred on Saturday morning, causing a "huge" fire on the vessel, which was carrying over 2 million barrels of crude oil.
It said the oil tanker had turned off its GPS and radar systems and was seeking to cross the waterway through an "illegal" route, adding that the explosion occurred in the vessel's engine room and brought it to a halt.
Earlier in the day, the IRGC Navy said another "violating" supertanker seeking to transit the strait through an "unauthorized" route had suffered a "huge" explosion after hitting a naval mine.
Iran has tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz since Feb. 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.
Also on Saturday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued two statements, saying that two tankers had been reportedly attacked in waters near Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. One of it was hit by unidentified projectile, while the other was attacked by a rocket.
Crew were accounted for and reported safe, said the UKMTO.
Iran's IRGC says 2nd supertanker explodes after hitting mine in Strait of Hormuz
