The Iranian Navy has identified a burning oil tanker that violated maritime restrictions in the Sea of Oman, according to a statement issued by the Navy’s public relations office.
An oil tanker carrying crude oil caught fire in its engine room after striking a sea mine south of the Strait of Hormuz, the IRGC Navy’s Public Relations Office announced, saying the incident occurred after the vessel switched off its navigation systems and entered an unauthorized route.
Iranian lawmaker Manouchehr Motaki has said that any discussion of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must also address the root cause of restrictions on shipping in the strategic waterway, which were imposed following U.S. military aggression against Iran.
The spokesman for Iran’s Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya dismissed U.S. claims of normal vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz as lies, stressing that the strategic waterway remains under the full management and control of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council said the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened until the United States changes its behavior, stressing that the council will not back down either on the battlefield or at the negotiating table.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson rejected Qatar's accusation linking Tehran to the alleged attack on a Qatar-linked vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, describing the allegation as questionable, contrary to the principle of good neighborliness, and unacceptable.
Outgoing President Hassan Rouhani has said Iran opened its first oil terminal in the Gulf of Oman, a move that will allow it to avoid using the Strait of Hormuz shipping route that has been a focus of regional tension for decades.
Iran is set to start loading crude oil at the Jask oil terminal on the Gulf Oman as early as July 19, adding its first export terminal outside the strategic Strait of Hormuz leading to the Persian Gulf.
Iran started its first transfer of crude oil via its strategic Goreh-Jask pipeline, allowing the country to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
TankerTrackers.com, a company that tracks and reports shipments and storage of crude oil say Iran probably exports twice as much oil as estimated.
