▲ Strait of Hormuz, vessels
Amid a week of ongoing military clashes between the United States and Iran, two oil tankers exploded and caught fire in the middle of the night on July 18 (local time), according to a report by Iran's state-run IRNA news agency.
According to the report, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated, "An hour ago, two oil tankers exploded and suffered major fires after being deceived by U.S. intelligence agencies into attempting to pass through a minefield in the southern Strait of Hormuz."
There has been no confirmation regarding casualties or the cargo carried by the vessels.
If the report is accurate, the explosions occurred around midnight on July 18, local Iranian time.
This incident comes as the United States and Iran have effectively abandoned their memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending hostilities, engaging in seven days of mutual airstrikes around the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran claims control over the Strait of Hormuz and insists that vessels must obtain permission from the country to safely navigate the northern part of the strait, which is closer to Iranian territory.
The IRGC emphasized, "Due to the malicious actions of the U.S. military, the Strait of Hormuz has become extremely unstable and is hereby declared completely closed." They added, "As long as U.S. acts of aggression do not cease, the export of chemical fertilizers or even a single drop of crude oil or gas through this region will be impossible."
The IRGC further warned, "Vessels must not be deceived, in order to protect their assets and, above all, their lives," adding, "Do not enter the minefield area."
Meanwhile, IRNA reported that the IRGC Navy shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over the southern port city of Bushehr.
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