Tehran, Iran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said a Honduran-flagged fuel tanker, identified as the Athe Nova, was burning in the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by two drones, Iranian news agencies reported on Monday. The ship’s registered owner and manager did not immediately comment.
Incident report and vessel identification
A Guards statement said the vessel was acting in “unison with America” and identified it as Athen Nova. VesselFinder and other tracking data providers showed the Athe Nova, a 96-meter tanker, was in the area shortly before the attack.
Military statement and media claims
An Iranian military spokesman did not explicitly state that the ship was hit by Iranian drones but named the incident in a report he gave on state TV about the Guards’ military operations in the Gulf area. Iranian media reports suggested that the vessel was providing fuel for US Navy ships.
Strait of Hormuz significance
The strait is described as the world’s most vital oil export route, connecting major Gulf oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Attempts to reach ship owner and manager
Reuters was not immediately able to contact Athe Nova’s registered owner. The ship’s manager did not immediately comment.
What further details have authorities provided about the condition of the Athe Nova and its crew?
