Iran Claims Two Tankers Caught Fire After Hitting Mines in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that two oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz along routes not authorised by Tehran.

The Guards indicated that one tanker struck a mine in the eastern part of the strait, while the other encountered a mine elsewhere in the waterway.

Iranian authorities claimed the tankers had violated maritime rules by disabling their navigation and positioning systems while attempting to transit through an unauthorised route.

Tehran has imposed strict restrictions on maritime traffic through the strait since the war began in late February, requiring ships to follow routes approved by Iranian authorities.

The United States has responded by imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports and assisting tankers in transiting the waterway, which normally carries about one-fifth of the oil consumed globally.

Iranian authorities have reported several incidents of ships catching fire in the strait in recent weeks.