Over ten oil tankers struck and set on fire in Strait of Hormuz

More than ten oil tankers have been struck in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran declared a “ban on movement” in the waterway, according to a statement released on March 4.

Mohammad Akbarzadeh, deputy political chief of the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said that following Tehran’s announcement, navigation by oil tankers, commercial vessels and fishing boats has effectively become impossible in the strait.

The IRGC press service said the corps’ naval forces transmitted an official warning through the global navigation network, informing maritime operators that the entire strait was operating under military conditions. The notice cautioned that ships risked being hit by missiles or drones and strongly advised against transiting the area.

Despite these warnings, more than ten oil tankers reportedly ignored the threats, were struck by projectiles and subsequently caught fire.

In its statement, Iran asserted that it has consistently pursued a policy of de-escalation aimed at safeguarding security and stability in the Persian Gulf, the broader region and globally. However, Akbarzadeh argued that “the actions of the US and Israel, which provoked the conflict, have caused instability in the region and the destruction of the global economy.”

The IRGC added that the Strait of Hormuz is currently under the full control of Iran’s naval forces.

According to the statement, this “important and strategic measure” by the Islamic Republic has already driven up global oil prices and had an unprecedented impact on the economies of various countries, particularly the US and European Union member states. Energy experts, the IRGC noted, warned that if the situation persists for another three weeks, the global economy could face severe crises.

By Tamilla Hasanova