A container ship carrying more than 2,500 containers sank in waters south of the Strait of Hormuz after striking a naval mine and catching fire, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said on Wednesday.

According to a statement carried by Iranian state media, the vessel hit the mine while attempting to navigate a route that Iranian authorities described as “unauthorized and dangerous.” The resulting fire intensified, eventually causing the ship to sink, the statement said.

The IRGC Navy did not identify the vessel or disclose its flag, owner or operator. Details about the crew, including whether anyone was injured or killed, were also not provided. The circumstances surrounding the reported sinking had not been independently verified in the reports available.

Iranian authorities warned local vessels and fishermen to exercise caution in the affected waters, saying containers from the sunken ship were floating on the surface and could pose a hazard to navigation.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States and growing risks to commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as a critical route for international energy shipments and other maritime trade.

Shipping through the strait has faced repeated disruptions during the ongoing conflict, with vessels reporting attacks and damage in recent weeks. Maritime security concerns have prompted ship operators to reassess routes and the risks of transiting the region.

The latest report also raises concerns about potential hazards to other vessels from floating containers and possible underwater mines. However, without independent confirmation of the sinking, the ship’s identity and the precise circumstances of the incident remain unclear.

Authorities and maritime operators are expected to monitor developments closely as tensions continue to threaten commercial shipping through one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.