Iran: Oil tanker explodes in Strait of Hormuz after hitting naval mine

An oil tanker sustained an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz after colliding with a naval mine, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. The incident took place on Sunday as the vessel veered off a shipping route designated by Iran for passage through the strategically vital waterway.

The explosion raises concerns about maritime safety in one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply travels.

In a separate development, the Houthi group in Yemen claimed responsibility for downing a Saudi reconnaissance drone. A spokesperson for the Yemeni armed forces told the Iranian news agency Fars that the downed aircraft was a Turkish-made "Bayraktar Aknc" drone engaged in "hostile operations" over the Al-Jawf province.

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We managed to shoot down a Turkish-made armed reconnaissance drone called 'Bayraktar Aknc' belonging to the Saudi enemy. This aircraft was carrying out hostile operations in the skies over Al-Jawf province.