Tehran: An oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz after reportedly striking a naval mine, local media reported on Sunday.
The vessel allegedly deviated from a route designated by Iran and struck the mine while sailing outside the safe maritime traffic corridor, despite previous warnings, according to preliminary reports cited by Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency.
The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is one of the world's most critical energy corridors, carrying oil and liquefied natural gas exports from major Gulf producers to international markets.
The reported explosion comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia following recent military exchanges between the United States and Iran.
Earlier on Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei described talks between Oman and Iran on ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as "useful and forward-looking", saying that progress had been made.
Iran and Oman held several rounds of technical discussions in Tehran to explore arrangements for safe navigation through the strategic waterway.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Baqaei said the talks were held on Friday and Saturday at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers. The discussions focused on common principles and practical mechanisms to ensure safe maritime traffic through the strategic waterway while respecting the sovereign rights of the two littoral states, Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.
He added that the Omani delegation left Iran on Saturday, but the two countries would continue their technical and political consultations, IRNA reported.
Asked about the current situation regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Baqaei said there had been no change in the status of maritime traffic through the waterway.
Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the US naval blockade against Iran remains fully in effect. It said American forces had redirected multiple commercial vessels, boarded ships for verification and disabled one tanker that allegedly attempted to violate the blockade.
In a post on social media platform X, CENTCOM said: "The US naval blockade against Iran remains in full effect. As of July 25, CENTCOM has redirected 12 commercial vessels trying to run the blockade, disabled 2 that didn't comply, and boarded 2 to ensure total compliance."
With IANS inputs