Iran’s navy said Friday it had detected an oil tanker on fire east of the Strait of Hormuz as the vessel attempted to cross a prohibited area in the Gulf of Oman, according to Iranian state media.

The navy described the tanker as “violating” and alleged that it had switched off its tracking systems while traveling through the restricted area. Iranian officials did not identify the vessel, specify its destination, or explain what caused the fire.

It was also unclear how severe the fire was, whether the tanker sustained significant damage or whether any crew members were injured. Iranian authorities did not immediately provide further information about the vessel’s condition or whether emergency crews had responded to the incident.

The navy warned that uncoordinated movements along maritime routes and travel through prohibited areas created insecurity and posed significant risks to other vessels operating in the region. Its statement emphasized the dangers of ships failing to follow designated routes and coordination procedures.

The incident occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but strategically critical passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the wider Arabian Sea. The waterway serves as a major transit route for oil and other energy supplies shipped from the Middle East to international markets.

Any disruption to shipping in the surrounding waters can raise concerns about the security of commercial vessels and the reliability of global energy transportation. The region has remained strategically sensitive because of its importance to oil exports and the potential consequences of maritime incidents.

However, the circumstances surrounding Friday’s reported fire remain unclear. Iranian officials did not provide evidence that the tanker’s alleged tracking-system shutdown caused or contributed to the blaze, and there was no immediate confirmation of whether the incident involved an accident, mechanical failure or another factor.

The tanker’s identity, the cause of the fire, and the extent of any damage had not been established in the initial report.