The navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Tuesday that three "violating" oil tankers exploded earlier in the day while transiting an "unauthorized" route in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News, the navy said the tankers, which had switched off their navigation and identification systems, caught fire after hitting naval mines.
It added that the vessels were abandoned off the strait's southern coasts and "are burning", stressing that Iranian regulations for the Strait of Hormuz have been repeatedly announced to all vessels via radio stations and the IRGC navy's official announcements.
The navy warned that disregarding those regulations or cooperating with the "aggressive" U.S. Army to transit unauthorized routes within the strait will result in such incidents.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the region, and tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's IRGC says 3 "violating" tankers explode after hitting mines in Hormuz Strait
Iran's IRGC says 3 "violating" tankers explode after hitting mines in Hormuz Strait
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker visited Tongji University in Shanghai on Wednesday, before attending the opening ceremony of the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in the city on Thursday.
Stocker is paying an official visit to China until Saturday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
While delivering a speech at the Tongji University, he put scientific research and higher education cooperation in the spotlight.
"Austria and China will build the future together, bringing mutual benefits to both countries. This requires courage, confidence and long-term commitment," said the Austrian chancellor, noting that Austria will be a trustworthy partner to China in opening a new chapter for cooperation.
At a panel discussion, participants from both countries discussed the future of science and engineering.
Recent exchanges between the Tongji University and Austrian universities focused on joint research, student mobility and the growing role of artificial intelligence in engineering education.
"This year marks the 55th anniversary of [the establishment of] diplomatic ties between China and Austria, and 100 years [the 100th year] since Professor Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University. These two milestones invite us to look back at history. The longstanding friendship between Chinese and Austrian engineers is a vivid example of China's openness to the world," said Wan Gang, honorary president of the China Association for Science and Technology.
In 1926, Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University, helping train China's first generation of internal combustion engine specialists. A century later, his family donated historical archives and a statue of him to the university.
There has been close cooperation between the Tongji University and AVL List GmbH, which was founded by Hans List and is one of the world's leading mobility technology companies for engineering, simulation, and testing in the automotive industry.
A century ago, Austria brought some of its most advanced engineering technologies to China. Today, the two countries are building on that legacy, strengthening their friendship and partnership, and driving a new wave of innovation together.
Austrian chancellor visits Tongji University in Shanghai
