The key facts

  • The IRGC reports two tankers and a tugboat catching fire in the Strait of Hormuz overnight on Wednesday and later
  • According to the IRGC, one large tanker struck a mine south of the strait
  • It also claimed to have 'taken control' of two Lucas-type aircraft and accused the United States

Fires on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz after the vessels attempted, in the corps' wording, to pass along an 'unauthorized route.' The statement was released through the official IRNA news agency, as reported by Anadolu.

What happened, according to the IRGC's account

According to the statement, a large oil tanker struck a mine late on Wednesday while attempting to pass along an 'unauthorized route' south of the strait; the tanker caught fire and came to a stop. In a separate incident, another supertanker caught fire while leaving the shipping lane in the eastern part of the strait. A tugboat that approached to fight the fire also caught fire. All of this information comes from the IRGC's account and has not yet been independently confirmed.

Claims of control over the strait and accusations against the US

The IRGC also said that an electronic warfare unit of its navy 'took control of two Lucas-type aircraft,' calling them 'intruders.' The corps said its navy continues to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz and accused the United States of 'encouraging vessels to violate restrictions and pass through a mined route,' adding that the damage 'will entail heavy insurance costs for American taxpayers and regional allies.' The IRGC warned that attempts to violate the rules of passage through the strait 'will lead to further financial losses and political failures for Washington.'

Context

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world's key maritime routes, through which significant volumes of oil and gas from Persian Gulf countries flow to international markets. According to Anadolu, the United States and Israel began a war against Iran on February 28, a ceasefire was reached in April, and in July, amid deadlocked diplomatic efforts, hostilities between Washington and Tehran resumed. All information about the incidents comes from one side — the IRGC; the statement provided no data on casualties, the vessels' ownership, or the extent of the damage.