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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed late Friday that two oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking naval mines while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz through an "unauthorized" route, amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington over control of the strategic waterway.
The IRGC Navy said in a statement that the two vessels had switched off their radar and positioning systems and were attempting to secretly navigate “an unauthorized route” through the strait when they struck naval mines.
“Flames from one of the two vessels, a supertanker, lit up the night sky along the southern shores of the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Iranian force warned shipowners and shipping companies against attempting to cross the waterway without coordinating with its maritime traffic control center, saying violations of Iranian regulations would have similar consequences.
The IRGC did not identify the vessels, their nationalities or the extent of the damage. There was no immediate information about casualties.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, has not reported the alleged mine explosions, although it recorded five incidents in the waterway this week.
The latest incident comes amid a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that handled approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies before the US-Israeli war with Iran began in late February.
On Thursday, Iranian authorities reported that four oil tankers had been struck by explosions in the strait after allegedly ignoring warnings and entering restricted waters.
The incidents come as Washington continues enforcing its naval blockade against Iran, aimed at preventing Tehran from exporting oil and generating revenue.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) recently said it had redirected nearly 150 commercial vessels and disabled five merchant ships that refused to comply with its blockade measures. Washington also claimed its restrictions had prevented Iran from exporting more than $30 billion worth of crude oil.
Iran has imposed restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the war, requiring vessels to coordinate their passage with Iranian authorities. Tehran considers the shipping route near Oman unauthorized.
Despite escalating military tensions, diplomatic efforts to end the war continue, with Qatar and Pakistan mediating between Washington and Tehran.
The war began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran, triggering Iranian retaliation against Israel and American military installations across the region.
