Two oil tankers caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The vessels, each carrying about two million barrels of crude oil, were using an unauthorized route, the IRGC stated. The incident occurred as tensions remain high between Iran and the United States over maritime security in the region.
The IRGC confirmed the explosions and fires, describing the tankers as having followed an unapproved path through the narrow waterway. The US has previously reported that 97% of ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz were not targeted by Iranian weapons. However, the Iranian military has not yet identified the nationalities of the vessels involved in the incident.
This follows a series of attacks on oil tankers in the region, with Iran accusing the US of interfering in its sovereignty. The IRGC has also reiterated its stance that the decision to open or close the Strait of Hormuz lies with the United States. Meanwhile, Iran has proposed a peace mediation role between Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil trade, with about 20% of the world’s oil passing through the waterway daily. The recent incidents have raised concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for further escalation. The US and Iran continue to exchange accusations, with neither side providing full transparency on the exact circumstances of the tanker incidents.
