The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced on Thursday that seven vessels caught fire in separate maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, warning that continued US efforts to direct ships through illegal, mine-infested waterway could widen the confrontation to include US bases across the region.
In a statement, the IRGC Navy said its forces detected and tracked four vessels violating maritime regulations while transferring oil cargo between ships in the north-central Persian Gulf. The four vessels had previously transited an illegal maritime route before being struck simultaneously and catching fire, it added.
Separately, three other vessels caught fire last night after striking mines in the western Strait of Hormuz, according to the statement. The vessels subsequently halted their movement.
The IRGC Navy blamed Washington for the growing maritime incidents, warning that the US military must recognize the consequences of its actions.
“The arrogant US regime’s insistence on inciting ships to transit the illegal, mine-strewn waterway has led to a daily increase in maritime incidents,” the statement said.
It issued a direct warning to the US military, stating that “continuing this approach will expand the scope of the confrontation to include the aggressors’ bases in the region.”
“This is a serious warning,” the IRGC Navy stressed.
Source: Al-Manar English Website