Iran says four tankers on fire after hitting mines

Tehran, Iran – Four oil tankers caught fire after colliding with mines while attempting to traverse the Strait of Hormuz, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) announced on Thursday. This incident follows the US military's claim that it had cleared key routes through the waterway. According to the IRGC, the three initial tankers had disabled their radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings from the IRGC navy.

The exact timing and flag of the vessels remain unclear. UKMTO reported two separate incidents: one involving a dhow that caught fire and sank, and another where a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile during transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has been issuing frequent warnings of mine strikes in recent weeks, challenging claims from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) that all mines in key transit routes have been cleared.

The IRGC spokesman, Hossein Mohebi, dismissed the US claim, demanding proof of their mine-clearing assertion. Since the start of the war on February 28, Iran has significantly restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which typically handles about one-fifth of global oil consumption. In response, the US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and assisted tankers in navigating the strait.

CENTCOM reported that they have aided Gulf countries in exporting 1.5 billion barrels of oil through Hormuz since the summer. The IRGC also stated that they had captured a US reconnaissance drone in a separate operation.