Iran says seven oil tankers damaged overnight in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s state television has reported that seven oil tankers caught fire and were damaged overnight after being targeted or striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

If verified, it would be the largest single-day number of vessels damaged in the waterway since the start of the Iran war on February 28 when the United States launched joint strikes against Iran.

Quoting a statement by the Revolutionary Guard’s navy, the Iranian report said that four of the tankers were transferring oil when they were targeted and caught fire. Another three were damaged and immobilised when they hit naval mines.

The report did not provide details about possible casualties or the flags of the tankers.

The statement also warned that any US attempts to allow the transit of oil tankers through “illegal passages” in the strait may expand the Revolutionary Guard’s reaction to include US bases in the region.

The Revolutionary Guard has routinely targeted US bases in Gulf countries after the war began.