Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday that two oil tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after striking naval mines, according to the state news agency IRNA, The Hindu reported, citing Reuters.
"Two oil tankers violating regulations — one in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz and the other within the strait — caught fire and are currently engulfed in intense flames after striking naval mines while attempting to cross through unauthorised routes," the IRGC said in a statement.
The Guards said the ships had switched off their navigation and positioning systems. They did not name the tankers or say which countries they belonged to, and the claim could not be independently verified. Tehran has announced ship fires in the strait several times in recent weeks, Asharq Al-Awsat reported.
Explosions reported on land
Separately, IRNA reported late on Saturday that sounds resembling explosions were heard in Qeshm, Sirik, Jask and Bandar Abbas, all in southern Iran. The cause was not known, it said, though officials confirmed an "impact" in the port city of Jask.
Background
Since the Iran war broke out in late February, Tehran has severely restricted traffic through the strait and insists ships use routes it has authorised, The Hindu reported. The United States responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports and has helped tankers make the crossing.
US Central Command said last month it had helped Gulf countries export 1.5 billion barrels of oil through Hormuz since the summer, and has recently said all mines have been cleared from the waterway, according to The Hindu and Asharq Al-Awsat.
Why it matters
The strait normally carries about one-fifth of the world's oil consumption, The Hindu noted, so every reported incident there feeds into global oil prices and shipping costs. US President Donald Trump has spoken of resuming heavy strikes on Iran but has since walked back from the idea, though the US military has carried out occasional limited strikes.