According to Reuters, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced on Sunday that two oil tankers "exploded" after striking mines while traveling through an "unauthorized route" in the Strait of Hormuz. The claim came in an official statement released by Iranian state media.
The incident underscores the proliferation of Iran’s restrictions on ships seeking to pass through the strategic strait, a choke point that carries a significant portion of global oil traffic. The IRGC has repeatedly warned that vessels violating its zoning rules could be engaged, citing the need to assert control over the passage.
Iran’s maritime authorities maintain that the area is within its sovereign waters and that illicit transit attempts provoke confrontations. They argue that the restrictions serve to deter U.S. naval activity and exert pressure on the United States, which the Ministry often criticizes as a “regional threat.”
The reports also reaffirm Iran’s broader strategy of mining the strait to complicate international shipping. The ministry’s use of unfederated routes is part of a pattern seen in recent months, as Tehran has been escalating its maritime vigilance.
While the Iranian statement corroborates the tankers’ alleged crash, independent verification from international maritime agencies remains pending. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the region as actors navigate the complex trade routes around the Persian Gulf.
