Iran Says Two Tankers Hit Mines in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says two oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, with each vessel carrying about two million barrels of crude. The claims, reported by Iranian state media, have not been independently verified, and the tankers have not been identified. The IRGC said the first tanker struck a mine on Saturday, causing an explosion and fire. It later reported that a second tanker had also hit a mine and caught fire. The force said the second vessel was immobilised. The reports did not disclose the vessels’ names, flags, owners or exact locations. The IRGC alleged that both tankers were using routes Iran had not authorised and had disabled positioning, radar or tracking systems. Some accounts of the statements said the force alleged that one tanker was attempting to transit with US support. Those assertions have not been independently confirmed. Iranian state media reportedly released nighttime footage showing a vessel ablaze. The footage does not independently establish that a mine strike occurred, identify the vessel or confirm where or when the video was recorded. The initial reports also provided no confirmed...