Four tankers destroyed by naval mines in Strait of Hormuz, Iran's IRGC says

Iran reported on Wednesday that four oil tankers caught fire after colliding with naval mines while attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz. This incident occurred following a warning from Iran that no one would benefit from the re-emergence of war. The statement was made a day after President Donald Trump announced that the United States had carried out strikes on Iran, in response to reports of a raid on Qeshm, the largest island in the strait.

According to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which quoted state TV, the four non-compliant oil tankers were destroyed by mines and continue to burn. Additionally, two other non-compliant ships or vessels were halted. The Guards also claimed to have shot down a drone over the strait. Iran asserts control over Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, and has been targeting vessels that pass through without its authorization since the war began.

The conflict, sparked by US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February, has been in a stalemate for months. Despite indirect communication between the United States and Iran through mediators, with no significant progress towards diplomacy, Iran has stated its readiness to reopen the strait, contingent upon Washington's agreement to its demands.

Iran's chief negotiator in talks with the United States, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared that the Islamic republic is prepared for battle, with its finger on the trigger, although President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his government's intent to resolve the crisis through dialogue. Pezeshkian emphasized on Tuesday that no one would benefit from this war if fighting resumes, as stated on Tuesday.