Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have alleged that two oil tankers detonated after striking mines while traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. The military branch claimed via the state news agency IRNA that these vessels were misled by American intelligence into entering a hazardous area, leading to fires on board. The U.S. Central Command immediately dismissed these allegations, labeling them as untrue.
In a separate development, the Revolutionary Guards reported that they successfully intercepted four ships allegedly operating with U.S. military support. These vessels were halted during a coordinated drone and missile maneuver. Currently, Iran has effectively blocked access to the strait for one week, demanding that all maritime traffic utilize northern channels near the Iranian coast rather than southern routes guarded by the United States.
This escalation follows a week of increased hostilities, including U.S. naval blockades on Iranian ports and frequent airstrikes targeting Iranian surveillance capabilities. Tehran previously threatened to close the waterway following earlier skirmishes involving merchant vessels and regional strikes.
