IRGC claims two oil tankers exploded near the Strait of Hormuz after entering what it described as a mined area. The allegations, which have not been independently verified, come as military tensions between the United States and Iran continue to raise concerns over global shipping and energy security.
IRGC Claims Two Oil Tankers Exploded Near Strait of Hormuz
Strait of Hormuz tanker explosions
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that two oil tankers exploded and caught fire after entering what it described as a mined area south of the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement was made on Saturday, July 18, through statements carried by several Iranian state media outlets as military tensions between Iran and the United States continued to escalate.
According to the IRGC Navy, the vessels entered the restricted area after being "misled" by US intelligence agencies. The force alleged that the ships attempted to cross the minefield despite warnings issued by Iranian naval authorities. At the time of publication, the claims had not been independently verified, and no international maritime authority had confirmed the reported explosions.
The United States also had not responded publicly to the allegations.
IRGC Navy minefield claims
In its official statement, the IRGC said the two tankers exploded and caught fire shortly after attempting to pass through the minefield. Iran's state broadcaster IRIB reported that the vessels ignored warnings from the Iranian Navy before entering the route, resulting in large fires following the explosions.
The IRGC repeated its allegation that American intelligence agencies had directed the ships into the hazardous area. However, no evidence supporting that claim has been made public, and there has been no independent confirmation regarding the vessels' identities, ownership or cargo.
Maritime authorities outside Iran had not reported any verified incidents matching the description at the time of publication.
US intelligence tanker allegations
The IRGC also declared that the Strait of Hormuz remained "extremely unsafe" while military operations involving the United States continued in the region. In its statement, the force claimed that oil, gas and even chemical fertilizer exports through the strategic waterway had effectively become impossible until what it described as American aggression ended.
Those claims have not been confirmed by international shipping organisations or commercial maritime operators. Vessel traffic in the Gulf continues to be monitored closely by governments, shipping companies and energy markets because of the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States has not issued an official response to the latest accusations.
Global oil supply concerns
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Any disruption to shipping through the narrow waterway can affect international energy prices, insurance costs and global supply chains.
Recent military operations, repeated warnings from Iranian authorities and continued uncertainty over maritime security have heightened concerns throughout the energy industry. Shipping companies are closely monitoring developments while governments continue assessing the security situation across the Gulf.
The information in this report is based on statements issued by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and reports broadcast by Iranian state media. At the time of publication, the reported tanker explosions had not been independently verified, and no confirmation had been issued by international maritime authorities or the United States.
