Tanker explodes in the Strait of Hormuz after suspected mine hit

A tanker was reported to have exploded in the Strait of Hormuz amid tight Iranian controls on shipping lanes in the area. Al Jazeera, citing several Iranian media outlets, reported the blast is suspected to have occurred after the tanker struck a sea mine when the vessel deviated from a route set by Iran's military. Earlier, the Islamic Republic of Iran Army had repeatedly warned passing ships to stay on the designated route and coordinate fully with Iranian authorities. Reports circulating so far have not identified the vessel or given a casualty toll, leaving the details of the incident limited.