The IRGC Navy Command announced on Monday, 23 Shahrivar, in a statement: “The supertanker ‘Al-Gaya,’ which intended to cross the prohibited area in the south of the Strait of Hormuz, exploded after colliding with naval mines. Efforts to contain the fire were unsuccessful, and the entire oil tanker became engulfed in flames.”

The IRGC Navy added: “Before this, warnings had been issued regarding the dangerous nature of the unlawful passage. The Strait of Hormuz is blocked and is still under our smart control.”