Iran’s military reported that an oil tanker caught fire on Sunday while attempting to navigate a restricted area in the Gulf of Oman, according to statements broadcast on Iranian state television. The incident occurred as the vessel reportedly disabled its tracking systems and tried to pass through what Tehran has designated a prohibited zone.

The Iranian navy’s surveillance teams identified the tanker shortly before the fire broke out, according to a military statement cited by state media. Details about the cause of the blaze or responsibility for the incident have not been disclosed. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which manages American military operations in the region and enforces a blockade on Iranian ports, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The prohibited maritime zone was established by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) last month after a proposal from the Iranian security chief, Mohsen Rezaei. According to Guards spokesman Hossein Mohebi, the restricted area covers parts of the Sea of Oman and adjacent sections of the Arabian Sea along shipping routes leading to the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has warned that vessels failing to comply with the restrictions could face sanctions, although it stopped short of explicitly threatening military action.

The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been a focal point of tension for years. Since the escalation of hostilities between Iran and the United States in February, Iran has repeatedly accused foreign vessels of violating its navigational rules and asserted control measures over the vital waterway, which it has declared effectively closed to unauthorized traffic.

The fire aboard the tanker adds to growing concerns about maritime security in the Gulf of Oman and the broader Arabian Sea, where Iran’s assertion of control and U.S. military presence continue to fuel regional instability. Further information on the status of the tanker, the extent of the damage, and any response by international authorities remains pending.