Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy reported that two large oil tankers suffered explosions on Wednesday night. According to a statement carried by the Iranian news agency ISNA, the incident occurred while the vessels were transiting the southern sector of the waterway.
The IRGC Navy stated that the two supertankers were carrying a combined total of more than four million barrels of oil. Both ships halted following a massive explosion, the military branch added.
The statement did not identify the names of the vessels involved. Officials also omitted details regarding what caused the explosions.
The Iranian naval force accused the two tankers of cooperating with the United States military, referring to US forces as a smuggling army.
The IRGC issued a direct warning. Any ship in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz that disables its navigation systems and cooperates with American forces while crossing the southern route would face the same fate, the statement said.
The announcement said the tankers were transiting despite repeated warnings from the local traffic control centre.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for global energy and commodity supplies. Navigation through the corridor is a central issue in ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Hostilities began when the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. A temporary ceasefire took effect in April before clashes resumed later.
Armed engagements between Washington and Tehran restarted after diplomatic talks stalled. Both sides had previously signed a memorandum of understanding in June.
