Two oil tankers catch fire after mine explosions in Strait of Hormuz

Two oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines in the southern Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In a statement carried by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC claimed the vessels entered a mined area after being misled by “incorrect guidance” from US intelligence agencies. The explosions reportedly caused severe damage to both tankers.

The IRGC did not disclose the names of the vessels, their ownership or whether there were any casualties.

The IRGC Navy said it had repeatedly warned the ships not to enter the mined zone and urged commercial vessels to avoid routes it described as unsafe.

Following the incident, the IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz “highly unsafe” and warned that no oil, gas or chemical cargo vessels would be allowed to use the route until US military operations in the region cease.

The incident came after the US military carried out a seventh consecutive night of airstrikes on Iranian targets. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes targeted Iran’s coastal surveillance facilities, air defence systems, logistics infrastructure and drone bases.

Tensions in the strategically important waterway have remained high since the collapse of the US-Iran ceasefire, with both sides escalating military activity in the region.