A cargo ship carrying more than 2,500 containers has sunk south of the Strait of Hormuz following a naval mine explosion and a subsequent fire.

Axar.az reports, citing Iranian media, that the vessel had attempted to cross the strait via a route Iranian forces described as unauthorized and dangerous.

According to the statement, the ship exploded after hitting a naval mine and subsequently caught fire before sinking.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy warned vessels and fishermen in the area that containers could surface in the water near the incident site, posing a collision hazard.