An explosion occurred on an oil tanker navigating the strategically vital Hormuz Strait after it struck a naval mine, according to a Sunday report by Tasnim, a semi-official Iranian news agency. The tanker had reportedly deviated from the maritime route designated by Iran for vessels transiting the strait—leading it to hit a mine of unknown origin.
The identity of the tanker remains unclear at this time.
Houthi Forces Claim Downing of Saudi Drone
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi movement announced it had shot down a Turkish-made, Saudi-operated reconnaissance drone. According to the Iranian Fars News Agency, a spokesperson for Yemen’s armed forces stated: “We successfully downed a Turkish-made armed reconnaissance drone of the ‘Bayraktar Akıncı’ type belonging to the Saudi military. The aircraft was conducting hostile operations in the airspace of Al-Jawf province.”