Two Oil Tankers Hit Mines in Strait of Hormuz, Iran's IRGC Claims

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy has claimed that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines while travelling through unauthorised routes in the Strait of Hormuz. The information was reported on Sunday by Iranian state media.

According to the IRGC navy, the two vessels did not use the designated authorised routes for transit through the strait. The explosions occurred when they struck mines laid in the sea.

However, the names of the two vessels, their flags, and details of any casualties or damage were not provided. The claim could not be independently verified immediately.

Since the start of its war with the United States and Israel, Iran has imposed restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, instructing vessels to use routes it designates, and attacks on ships travelling without permission have also occurred. The United States, meanwhile, has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. As a result, commercial shipping through one of the world's most important waterways has become uncertain.

Mine attacks on vessels in the strait have also increased in recent days. Last Friday, Oman's navy rescued 25 crew members from a commercial vessel that caught fire after being attacked near the Musandam coast, close to the Strait of Hormuz.

The day before, Iran's military said four oil tankers caught fire in mine explosions while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The vessels had been trying to pass through an unauthorised route on the southern side of the strait.

An IRGC statement said the first three vessels had switched off their radar and navigation systems and had ignored warnings from the Iranian navy.