TEHRAN, Oct. 11 -- A crude-oil tanker erupted in flames in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after hitting a naval mine, according to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which said the ship had taken a route Tehran had not approved after switching off its navigation and positioning systems. The Guards did not name the vessel, and the claim could not immediately be verified.

The IRGC Navy said the supertanker suffered a powerful explosion on striking the mine and was engulfed in a large fire, with flames visible from the coast, Iran International reported, citing Iranian state media. The Guards gave no details of the crew, cargo, ownership or exact location. The Jerusalem Post, relaying Reuters, reported that they also did not specif...