TEHRAN, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said Saturday that a "violating" supertanker attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz via an "unauthorized" route suffered a massive explosion after hitting naval mines.
In a statement published on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News, the navy said the vessel, carrying crude oil with its navigation and GPS systems switched off, caught fire after the blast.
It said the route had been designated high-risk, warning that such a fate awaits any violating oil tanker seeking to "disregard" Iran's regulations.
On Friday, the IRGC navy said its forces had hit a "giant" liquefied petroleum gas carrier identified as NV Sunshine as it sought to cross the strait through an "illegal" route south of the waterway.
The vessel's engine room and propulsion system caught fire, it said.
The navy said the U.S. military was responsible for such incidents and rising maritime tensions in the region.
It also warned that actions against violating vessels will no longer be limited to the Strait of Hormuz, and any vessel crossing unauthorized routes will be "punished."
Iran tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory. ■
