IRGC claims two oil tankers exploded near Strait of Hormuz after striking mines

Tehran: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated on Saturday that two oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz struck mines and exploded, according to a report released by the state news agency, IRNA.

"An hour ago, two oil tankers, which were trying to pass through the minefield south of the Strait of Hormuz by deceptive American intelligence agencies, exploded and caught fire," the Guards claimed in their statement, without providing details on the vessels involved.

"To protect their capital and, more importantly, their lives, the sailors should not be deceived and enter the minefield," the statement added.

Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz for a week. The nation is attempting to exert control over the essential waterway, repeatedly warning tankers and cargo ships to utilise only those channels located near its northern coastline, rather than the southern corridors the United States has sought to secure.

In response to Iranian threats against maritime traffic, the US has reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports. American forces have also continued nightly airstrikes across Iran, targeting infrastructure to undermine Tehran’s capacity to monitor and threaten the strait.

IRNA reported on Saturday that the latest wave of US bombardments struck the cities of Ahvaz in the southwest, Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island along the strait, as well as the southern cities of Lar and Darab, and Yazd in the centre of the country. The news agency indicated that it was not immediately clear whether the strikes had resulted in any casualties.

AFP