Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed it prevented three oil tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, further escalating tensions over one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media on Thursday, the IRGC said the vessels had attempted to use a route south of the Strait of Hormuz rather than waters controlled by Iran.
The Guards alleged that the United States had encouraged the ships to follow the alternative passage.
According to the statement, one of the tankers struck what the IRGC described as a mine-laid route, resulting in an explosion and fire.
It added that the remaining two vessels subsequently abandoned their journey and turned back.
The Iranian authorities did not provide the names of the ships involved, their ownership or the exact date of the reported incident. No independent confirmation of the claims was immediately available.
The latest statement comes as Iran and the United States continue to compete for influence over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway linking the Gulf to global energy markets. The passage carries a significant share of the world’s seaborne crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports, making security in the area critical for international energy supplies.
Iran has recently accused some commercial vessels of attempting to avoid its territorial waters by following routes closer to the coast of Oman.
Tehran has argued that ships should coordinate with Iranian authorities when transiting the Strait, while warning that those failing to do so could face consequences.
In its latest remarks, the IRGC said the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control and warned that any vessel attempting to pass without coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran would risk similar action.
The developments are likely to renew concerns across global energy markets, where any disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz can affect oil prices, freight costs and the reliability of fuel supplies. Industry participants will be closely monitoring the situation for further developments and any independent verification of the reported incident.
