Iran, Oct 13. (dpa/GNA) – On Sunday, Iranian media circulated a video, purporting to show an explosion on a supertanker, which reportedly struck a sea mine in the strait.
It is understood that mines are being fired directly in front of the tankers using rockets.
Iran’s armed forces have recently intensified their attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. They generally target tankers and cargo ships, travelling on a southern route near the Omani coast.
For several months, the US Navy has been escorting civilian merchant ships there, to enable trade in oil and liquefied natural gas to resume. Iran regards the route as “illegal” and demands that ships pass along the Iranian coast.
Iran has largely blocked traffic through the strait, using threats and attacks on ships since the start of the war at the end of February.
The US military has also repeatedly attacked Iranian civilian vessels. The Strait of Hormuz, which is only 35 to 40 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, has become the central flashpoint between Iran and the United States in the Iran war.
GNA