Conflicting Reports Emerge Over Tanker “El Gaya” Attack in Strait of Hormuz
On Monday, September 14, conflicting narratives have emerged regarding the tanker El Gaya near the Strait of Hormuz: the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims the vessel caught fire after striking a sea mine, whereas U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) refuted this assertion, attributing the attack directly to Iran.
The IRGC Navy issued a statement declaring that the tanker El Gaya suffered a severe maritime accident after striking sea mines while transiting the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC claimed that containment efforts failed and that the entire vessel was engulfed in flames, though the military body provided no independent evidence or imagery to substantiate its account.
CENTCOM Dismisses Mine-Strike Narrative
CENTCOM responded by dismissing the mine-strike narrative as “false,” clarifying that El Gaya was disabled last month after being struck by an Iranian missile. This development has raised questions about the accuracy of the IRGC’s claims and whether the attack was indeed a result of sea mines or another factor.
Indian Crew Members Affected
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that an attack took place near Oman but did not address allegations of a sea mine. Of the 14 Indian crew members aboard, 13 were rescued, while one remains missing. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety and security of commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Commercial Traffic Drops Amid Tensions
These conflicting claims come amid a renewed drop in commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. According to preliminary tracking data from Kpler, only four commercial vessels transited the waterway on Monday, down from ten on Sunday. Reuters reported that two bulk carriers (one laden, one in ballast) exited the strait, while two unladen tankers entered. This tally excludes vessels that disabled their Automatic Identification System (AIS) to evade detection.
Drone Attack Targets Fishing Boats
Concurrently, Iranian officials reported a drone attack on two fishing boats near Korgan Port in Hormozgan Province, resulting in several missing crew members. The perpetrators of the strike, exact casualty numbers, and potential links to recent naval hostilities remain unconfirmed.
Original Article: Conflicting Reports on Tanker “El Gaya” Attack in Strait of Hormuz — Iranwire