According to a statement carried by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, monitoring teams detected the burning vessel during surveillance operations in the eastern part of the strategic waterway, Real Broadcasting Network reported.
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The navy’s public relations office said the tanker had disabled its tracking systems and was attempting to navigate a “prohibited area” in the Gulf of Oman.
It warned that unauthorised movements through restricted maritime routes and areas posed security risks to other vessels.
The statement, however, did not identify the tanker, its flag or operator, or disclose the cause of the fire. It also gave no details about possible casualties or the condition of the crew.
The incident comes amid a series of maritime security incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has imposed restrictions on commercial shipping.
