Three tankers run aground after mine strikes in Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Thursday that three oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessels subsequently ran aground on the southern shores of the waterway. The IRGC Navy Public Relations Office stated these incidents occurred within the last 24 hours.

Tensions have risen in the strait as the United States encourages shipping companies to use a southern maritime route. President Trump declared that specific area free of mines in late August. In contrast, Tehran insists that vessels must travel through northern routes closer to the Iranian coast, operating in coordination with local authorities.

The IRGC claimed the tankers ignored warnings from its Navy. According to the statement, the ships were attempting to exit through what the group called the unauthorized southern route when they hit the mines. The Guard noted that the vessels had turned off all radar and navigation systems. This is a common practice among ships trying to avoid blockades imposed by either the United States or Iran.

Teheran placed responsibility on the owners and crews for using a path against which it had warned for several months. The IRGC said the vessels disregarded specific alerts before the strikes. The ships are now stuck on the southern coastline following the explosions.

This development follows earlier warnings from Iranian authorities about the safety of the southern corridor. The IRGC emphasized that the southern route is not under the direct management of Iranian forces. The northern routes remain under the coordination of Tehran's maritime authorities. The three tankers remain on the southern coast after the mine strikes.