IRGC says two tankers explode after hitting sea mines in Strait of Hormuz
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Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said Sunday morning two oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking sea mines while attempting to cross the southern Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, the IRGC Navy's public relations office said the vessels had switched off their navigation and automatic identification systems while attempting to secretly transit what it described as an unauthorized route.
The statement said the explosions occurred a short while before the announcement but provided no information about the tankers' identities, flags, crew members or the extent of the damage.
The IRGC Navy added that two other tankers attempting to cross the waterway covertly turned back toward the Persian Gulf after complying with warnings from its maritime traffic control center.
The announcement comes amid continued attacks and security incidents involving commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
The waterway is a major international shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas, making disruptions a significant concern for global energy markets.
Iranian forces have repeatedly reported tanker fires and explosions involving vessels they accuse of violating restrictions on maritime traffic through the strait.
