Iran says two oil tankers carrying over four million barrels ablaze in Hormuz Strait

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Thursday that two tankers carrying over four million barrels of oil had caught fire after an “accident” on an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz.

Since the outbreak of the Middle East war in late February, Tehran has heavily restricted traffic through the strategic shipping channel, insisting vessels use routes it has approved.

The United States has in response imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and helped tankers travel the strait, which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil.

“Last night, two tankers – acting in violation of regulations and despite repeated warnings from the [IRGC] Navy regarding the unauthorized and dangerous nature of the southern maritime route – were involved in an accident while traversing this prohibited path in the strait,” the IRGC said in a statement.

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