Iran Says Two Tankers Caught Fire in Strait of Hormuz After Striking Mines

Two oil tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after striking naval mines while attempting to navigate unauthorised routes, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday, according to state news agency IRNA.

Since the Iran war erupted in late February, Tehran has significantly restricted maritime traffic through the strategic waterway, requiring vessels to follow routes approved by the Islamic Republic. In response, the United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and assisted tankers travelling through the strait, a vital shipping route that normally handles around one-fifth of global oil consumption.

In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran's ideological military force, said two oil tankers had violated maritime regulations and caught fire after hitting naval mines. One incident reportedly occurred in the eastern section of the Strait of Hormuz, while the other took place within the waterway.

The Guards claimed that both vessels had committed several violations, including switching off their navigation and positioning systems while attempting to pass through unauthorised routes. They did not disclose the names or nationalities of the tankers.

Tehran has made several similar announcements in recent weeks, reporting fires aboard vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, US Central Command said last month that it had helped Gulf countries export 1.5 billion barrels of oil through the waterway since the summer. Washington has also recently claimed that all naval mines in the strait have been cleared.

Separately, IRNA reported late Saturday that explosion-like sounds were heard in several parts of Iran, including Qeshm, Sirik, Jask and Bandar Abbas. However, the cause of the sounds remained unclear.

The news agency also reported that officials had confirmed an "impact" in the port city of Jask.

US President Donald Trump had earlier raised the possibility of resuming large-scale military strikes against Iran but subsequently stepped back from the proposal.

Despite this, the US military has continued to carry out occasional limited strikes.