Iran Claims Two Tankers Exploded After Hitting Mines in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that two oil tankers detonated mines while transiting the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, causing fires and damage. The IRGC said the vessels were misled by U.S. intelligence into a mined corridor and warned other ships to avoid the area. The United States Central Command rejected the claim, labeling it “false” and noting no independent verification of mine explosions.

At the same time, the IRGC reported intercepting four additional ships in the strait using missiles and drones, describing them as “rogue” vessels operating with U.S. support. Both incidents have led Iran to effectively close the strait, disrupting the flow of oil that normally passes through the chokepoint. Maritime traffic has sharply declined, with only a handful of vessels transiting in recent days, raising concerns about global oil supply and shipping safety.

The disputed accounts highlight escalating U.S.–Iran tensions over navigation rights and the broader risk to international trade routes in the region.