New Delhi: Iran has reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and warned that ships violating its rules will face consequences. The announcement comes after a supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil reportedly caught fire after hitting a naval mine. The incident raises fresh concerns over global oil supplies as the US president, Donald Trump, faces pressure over fuel prices ahead of the November midterm elections.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy on Saturday accused the vessel of attempting to cross the strategic waterway through an unauthorized route, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. The Iranian force said the tanker had switched off its positioning and radar systems to avoid detection while travelling with US military support.
Iranian state media has not identified the vessel or disclosed details about its ownership, flag or possible casualties. The reported mine strike and the circumstances surrounding the incident have not been independently verified.
In its warning, the IRGC Navy referred to the US military as the “terrorist US military” and said ships violating Iranian regulations would ultimately “burn in the fire of trusting” it, according to IRNA. The force reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz was closed and warned vessels against attempting to cross the waterway in violation of Iranian rules.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over military activity in West Asia. Any disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could affect international energy markets, as the waterway is a major route for global oil shipments.
Fuel prices remain an important concern for American voters ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Trump has also moved to ease pressure on fuel supplies by allowing Russian diesel exports under a temporary sanctions waiver.
A further escalation around the Strait of Hormuz could complicate these efforts. If the incident leads to shipping disruptions or pushes oil prices higher, energy costs could become an additional challenge for the Trump administration ahead of the midterm elections.