Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Iran Claims Tanker Blasts, US Denies

Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced on Saturday that two oil tankers struck mines and exploded while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a claim that the United States military has called false.

The Guards, in a statement carried by state news agency IRNA, said the tankers were 'trying to pass through the minefield south of the Strait of Hormuz by deceptive American intelligence agencies.' The statement warned sailors not to enter the area, saying, 'To protect their capital and, more importantly, their lives, the sailors should not be deceived.' The tankers were not identified.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) swiftly rejected the allegation, posting on X: 'Like most IRGC claims, this is false.'

Separately, the Guards stated that they had 'stopped' four ships attempting to transit the strait. According to a statement broadcast by state television, 'In the past hours, four violating ships with the support of the terrorist U.S. Army were trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and all four ships were stopped in place during a combined missile and drone operation.'

Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz for a week, seeking to control the vital waterway. It has been directing tankers and cargo ships to use northern channels close to its coastline, rather than southern corridors that the United States has been attempting to protect.

In response to Iran's threats to shipping, the U.S. has reimposed a naval blockade against Iranian ports and is conducting nightly airstrikes on targets in Iran aimed at weakening Tehran's ability to monitor and threaten the strait.