TEHRAN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Army said two "violating" oil tankers caught fire Thursday afternoon after entering the "forbidden" region east of the Strait of Hormuz and hitting naval mines.
The vessels had turned off their radar systems, entered the "forbidden and unsafe" region in disregard of warnings, the army said in a statement.
Earlier on Thursday, the navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that two "violating" supertankers carrying more than 4 million barrels of oil were disabled by explosions while crossing the strait Wednesday night.
In a statement on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News, the navy said they transited the strait despite frequent warnings from its center that the southern route was "unauthorized and unsafe."
Also on Thursday, Chief Commander of Iran's Army Amir Hatami highlighted the readiness of the armed forces, especially air defense units, to counter any potential threat, according to the army's website.
"If the enemy makes a mistake once again and commits an act of aggression against our country, it will face even heavier blows," Hatami said.
Iran tightened its grip on the strait 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. ■
