A marine drone struck a crude oil ‌tanker that had departed Russia, causing an explosion in the Black Sea near Istanbul’s Bosphorus strait on Thursday, Turkey’s transportation minister said. The incident, one of several in recent months involving Western-sanctioned vessels heading to or from Russian ports, occurred in the early hours, minister Abdulkadir ​Uraloglu told broadcaster Kanal 24. The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. All 27 crew were safe, he said, adding that the coastguard had been ​dispatched to the vessel, the Altura, which was about 18 nautical miles (33 km) from ⁠the Bosphorus, a key commodities-shipping channel linking the Black Sea with the Marmara and the Mediterranean.

Full report : Turkish Oil Tanker Hit by Drones in Black Sea Near Istanbul.