The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says a violating container ship that intended to pass through an unauthorized and dangerous route in the Strait of Hormuz exploded after striking a naval mine and catching fire.

“The vessel, which was carrying more than 2,500 containers, sank on Wednesday morning in the southern waters of the strait because of the intensity of the fire,” the IRGC Navy’s public relations office said in a statement.

The IRGC Navy also cautioned local vessels navigating the area, saying: “Local vessels and fishermen must exercise the utmost safety when navigating this route so they do not collide with containers floating on the water.”

The incident comes amid a series of maritime developments reported by the IRGC Navy in recent days involving commercial vessels attempting to use routes that Tehran considers unauthorized.

On Monday, the IRGC reported that an oil tanker had struck a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz after disregarding warnings and attempting to navigate an unauthorized route. The incident followed two similar cases involving oil tankers over the preceding days.

The IRGC Navy also announced on October 9 that its forces had struck a liquefied petroleum gas carrier attempting to pass through an unauthorized route south of the strait.

‘Step into the field and see for yourself’: IRGC hits back at US claims of Hormuz control

IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei challenges the United States’ claims that the Strait of Hormuz is open and under its control.

In its recent statements, the IRGC has warned vessels against ignoring its navigation restrictions, saying ships switching off their navigation and identification systems would be treated as hostile.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to the latest round of US-Israeli aggression, preventing US and allied ships from navigating the strategic waterway.

The move resulted in a significant increase in oil and energy prices across the globe, especially in the US, forcing Washington and the International Energy Agency (IEA) to release their strategic resources several times.

Following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Tehran opened the Strait of Hormuz, but after the US violated the MoU by blockading Iranian ports, Iran’s Armed Forces closed the maritime corridor once again.