An oil tanker named EL GAIA caught fire after striking naval mines while navigating a restricted route in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The incident occurred as the tanker attempted to pass through a pathway that Iranian authorities had marked as off-limits. Despite efforts to extinguish the blaze, Iranian officials reported that the fire could not be contained.
The IRGC Navy emphasized that prior warnings had been issued about the dangers of using the prohibited passageway. They reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz remains under the stringent control of Iranian naval forces and is currently closed to unauthorized maritime traffic. This strategic waterway is crucial for global energy supplies, as it carries a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas resources.
Following the incident, Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority issued a caution to insurance companies, protection and indemnity insurers, and classification societies, advising against offering services to vessels that violate the newly imposed restrictions on maritime navigation in the region. The restrictions have raised concerns about potential disruptions to international energy markets, given the strait’s vital role in global oil transportation.
The increased control measures over the Strait of Hormuz were implemented by Iran after US-Israeli military actions targeted the country on February 28. In response to these strikes, the US forces have also established a naval blockade, affecting vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports. These developments have further heightened tensions in the region, impacting maritime operations in one of the world’s most important energy corridors.