Four tankers struck by explosions in Strait of Hormuz, Iran says
USO•Iran's military said four oil tankers were hit by explosions in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and Thursday after ignoring warnings and entering restricted areas. Reuters could not immediately verify the account.
1. Iran reports tanker explosions
Iran's military said four oil tankers were hit by explosions in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and Thursday. The Revolutionary Guards Navy said two supertankers were disabled by explosions on Wednesday after ignoring warnings against using an “unauthorised route”; Iran's army said two others hit mines on Thursday and caught fire after entering a restricted area.
2. Attacks continue in strait
Iranian state media reported that the vessels hit naval mines. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said a vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile northwest of Ras Al-Khaimah on Wednesday, causing an engine-room fire; firefighting was under way and the crew had been evacuated.
3. Recent attack figures
At least 10 ships were hit in the first 10 days of November, following 37 attacks in October, the highest monthly tally since the conflict began in late February, data from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy showed.
