Iran seizes three oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz amid U.S. tensions

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Thursday that it had intercepted three oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transport. The IRGC stated that the tankers were attempting to traverse a mined route south of the strait, allegedly lured by the U.S. military, when one reportedly exploded and caught fire, causing the other two to retreat.

Iranian media, citing an IRGC statement, reported the incident but did not specify when it occurred. The statement asserted that the IRGC's naval forces maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz. It warned that any vessels attempting to pass through without coordinating with Iran would face a similar fate, signaling a continued assertion of authority over the vital waterway.

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Three oil tankers, lured by the American military... attempted to pass through a mined route south of the Strait of Hormuz, but after one of them exploded and caught fire, the remaining two quickly turned back.

This action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing maritime disputes between Iran and the United States. In recent weeks, Iran has targeted tankers using the route along the Omani coast, compelling them to transit through Iranian waters and pay for safe passage. The IRGC's latest move underscores the volatile security situation in the region, where both nations vie for influence and control.

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The powerful navy of the IRGC emphasizes that the Strait of Hormuz is under our control... and ships that are misled by the United States and plan to pass without coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran will face the same fate.