The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC Navy) said on the 19th an oil
tanker it described as "non-compliant" struck a sea mine in the southern Strait
of Hormuz, exploded and caught fire. In a statement published by IRGC-affiliated
Sepah News, the navy said the vessel had switched off GPS and navigation systems
and ignored rules while attempting to exit the Strait via an "unauthorized"
route. The IRGC Navy warned it will take "severe and decisive measures" against
any ships that disable navigation or identification systems while transiting the
Strait or the Persian Gulf.
