In brief
The IRGC stated that two oil tankers, one a supertanker, exploded after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz while transiting an unauthorized route and had disabled their navigation and identification systems. The supertanker is now burning. The incidents come after Iran tightened its control over the strait in February to prevent vessels linked to Israel and the United States from passing.
The IRGC has said that two oil tankers, including a supertanker, detonated after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to a statement released on the IRGC’s official news outlet Sepah News.
The corps said the vessels were travelling an “unauthorized” route in the strait and had turned off their navigation and identification systems before the explosions.
The IRGC stated:
the supertanker “suffered a massive explosion and is burning.”
The incident follows Iran’s tightening of controls over the strait after joint Israeli‑U.S. strikes on Iranian territory.
Iran had tightened its grip on the strait on Feb. 28, banning safe passage for vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States.
The IRGC’s report does not specify the names of the vessels or the exact location of the explosions within the strait.
Sources indicate the IRGC showed no signs of attempting to rescue the disabled tankers before or after the detonations.
