Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy has declared that a super tanker, attempting to navigate through the southern restricted zone of the Strait of Hormuz, exploded after hitting a naval mine.

Efforts to control the resulting fire were unsuccessful, leaving the vessel engulfed in flames. The statement identifies the stricken ship as the super tanker EL GAIA, with IMO number 9325336.

Prior warnings had been issued regarding the hazards of such unauthorized passage, as the Revolutionary Guard Navy had explicitly announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now closed to traffic.