Iranian Revolutionary Guard: A giant oil tanker is exposed to an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz

- The Iranian Revolutionary Guard said, on Saturday, that a giant oil tanker suffered an explosion after colliding with a sea mine in the Strait of Hormuz, without giving details about its nationality or the flag it was flying. The Iranian official IRNA news agency quoted a statement by the Revolutionary Guards Naval Forces as saying that the tanker “was carrying crude oil” before it was exposed to “an explosion resulting from its collision with a sea mine, as a result of its attempt to deviate from the approved navigation path in the Strait of Hormuz.”

The statement noted that "the tanker, which had turned off its navigation and positioning systems, broke out after the collision, with flames clearly visible from the coastal areas." The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran continues to affect the situation in the Gulf, specifically the transit rates of ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar announced, on Tuesday, that mediation efforts between the United States and Iran are still in place, as Doha continues to play the role of mediator between the two conflicting countries. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he does not plan to attack Iran before the midterm congressional elections.

Trump's statements came in the wake of multiple media reports detailing the US administration's planning to launch possible new strikes before the elections.