US Rejects Iran Mine Claim, Says Tanker Hit by Drone

The U.S. military has rejected claims by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that a Panama-flagged oil tanker struck a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz, stating instead that the vessel was attacked twice by Iranian weapons. The incident has intensified concerns over the severe threat to commercial shipping in the critical waterway. U.S. Central Command said the tanker, identified as the El Gaia, was first struck by an Iranian missile last month, which rendered it inoperable. Over the weekend, Iran struck the disabled vessel again with a drone while it was in waters off the coast of Oman. The military described the IRGC's mine claim as disinformation and an attempt to intimidate commercial shipping. Iran's IRGC, through state media, maintained that the tanker had hit a naval mine, causing an explosion and fire. The conflicting accounts highlight the ongoing dispute over the cause of attacks on vessels in the region. The El Gaia's 14-member Indian crew was involved in the incident. Thirteen crew members were rescued, while one Indian national remained missing as of the latest reports.