Key facts
- An oil tanker caught fire in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday.
- The tanker entered a prohibited zone with its tracking systems disabled, according to Iranian state media.
- The GFS Pride container ship sank on Wednesday after a fire.
- The Cape Dao cargo ship sank after being struck by a projectile.
An oil tanker caught fire in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday after entering what Iran's navy described as a prohibited zone with its tracking systems disabled, Iranian state-run media reported. The incidents follow the sinking of two commercial vessels in the same waters in recent days. The container ship GFS Pride sank on Wednesday after catching fire, with all 21 crew members rescued. The IRGC said the vessel struck a sea mine, while maritime sources cited an unidentified projectile. The cargo ship Cape Dao, which had previously been struck by a projectile, also sank, with one crew member killed in the initial attack. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show cargo including mobile phones and luxury goods floating in the water near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's IRGC declared the waters leading to the Strait of Hormuz a prohibited zone in September, and has stated that vessels violating the rules in the area face penalties.