Iran says five tankers and tugboat caught fire in Hormuz

Five oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and army said in separate statements, according to local media on Thursday.

Since the outbreak of the Iran war in late February, Tehran has severely restricted traffic through the strategic waterway, which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption.

The United States military has in response imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and helped tankers travel the strait.

“Last night… a large oil tanker attempting to pass through the illegal passageway south of the Strait of Hormuz suffered a fire after striking a mine and was brought to a halt,” the Guards told Fars news agency.

This story was originally published by Hellenic Shipping News. Read the full story at Hellenic Shipping News →