According to a statement broadcast by Iran’s Press TV, the tanker was attempting to navigate a restricted area in the Gulf of Oman. The IRGC Navy said the vessel had also switched off its tracking systems while passing through the prohibited zone.
The statement warned that vessels moving through restricted routes and areas without coordination could create insecurity for other ships and expose maritime traffic to serious risks.
Recent incidents involving oil tankers in and around the Strait of Hormuz have heightened concerns over regional security and the safety of global oil shipments.
The strategically important waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serving as a critical route for international oil trade.
Attacks on commercial vessels, concerns over sea mines and disruptions to maritime traffic have raised fears of wider consequences for global energy supplies and oil prices.
Reports indicate that several oil tankers were targeted by unidentified projectiles or other weapons in the waterway during October 2026.