Iran Guard says oil tankers explodedoil tankers exploded from Hormuz mines as US strikes continue
Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines south of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, claiming the vessels were targeted by US intelligence agencies amid ongoing drone and missile strikes between Washington and Tehran.
The Guard stated the incident occurred an hour before the announcement, though it did not identify the specific tankers or their nationalities. This escalation matters as it threatens a critical global energy corridor and deepens the risk of direct military confrontation between the two nations.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard
Iran's Revolutionary Guard asserts that two oil tankers were deliberately sunk by mines in the Strait of Hormuz as part of a US intelligence operation to disrupt shipping.
Western Media
Western media and intelligence reports frame the incident as a continuation of escalating US-Iranian drone and missile strikes, suggesting the mines may be a result of this broader military conflict.
- The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20% of the world's total oil consumption.
- Iran's Revolutionary Guard was founded in 1979 following the Islamic Revolution to protect the new regime.
- Oil tankers navigating the Hormuz often travel in convoys due to regional security risks.
US-Iran-Israel War
The United States and Israel have resumed full-scale war with Iran after the June 17 Versailles Memorandum collapsed, with both sides trading strikes over alleged violations.
17 July, 10:15 PM
US launches attacks on roads and bridges as Iran strikes Gulf states14 July, 09:01 AM
Iran and US exchange fresh strikes near the Strait of Hormuz
