IMO Warns Mines Threaten Strait of Hormuz Shipping After 2 Tankers Reportedly Hit Explosives
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 20
IMO Warns Mines Threaten Strait of Hormuz Shipping After 2 Tankers Reportedly Hit Explosives
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 20
Summary
Arsenio Dominguez said the IMO cannot guarantee ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz will avoid mines, warning the only IMO-approved route is still not verified clear.
Iran said on Oct. 17 that two oil tankers carrying about 2 million barrels of crude caught fire after hitting naval mines; one was reportedly left immobilized.
The warning also targets Tehran's temporary corridor inside Iranian waters, which Iran has communicated to the IMO but which lacks the organization's formal approval.
Attacks on commercial vessels have surged over the past two weeks, and senior Iranian officials told Reuters Tehran has changed its strategy for targeting shipping.
The renewed hazard comes as U.S.-Iran talks remain stalled over conditions for reopening the strait, leaving one of the world's key oil chokepoints short of normal operations.