TEHRAN: The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy said four vessels were hit and caught fire in the Persian Gulf after being detected transferring oil cargo between ships, while three other vessels suffered incidents and fires after striking mines west of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement released on Thursday, the IRGC Navy said the four vessels had previously violated designated maritime routes despite earlier warnings to shipping companies that were misled by the “aggressor US military.”
The statement said IRGC Navy forces monitored and pursued the four violating vessels before discovering them engaged in ship-to-ship oil transfers in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. It added that all four vessels were hit simultaneously and were burning.
The statement also said three other vessels suffered incidents and caught fire after striking mines west of the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday night, adding that they have been brought to a halt.
The IRGC Navy blamed the US hegemonic regime’s insistence on encouraging vessels to pass through an illegally designated, mined passage for the increasing number of maritime incidents.
If the terrorist US military continues with this course of action, the scope of confrontation will extend to the aggressor’s bases in the region, the IRGC Navy warned, describing the warning as serious.
The statement also emphasized that the IRGC Navy forces continue to manage and control the Strait of Hormuz, backed by the Iranian nation’s tremendous support.
