On July 17th local time, the US Central Command posted a statement on social media, stating that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that two oil tankers were hit by mines and exploded in the Hormuz Strait international shipping lane. "Like most claims made by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, this is false information."
According to the Turkish Anadolu News Agency, earlier on the 17th, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard issued a statement stating that two oil tankers exploded and caught fire while attempting to pass through a mined area in the southern part of the Hormuz Strait.
Reports indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy issued a statement through the Iranian Fars News Agency, stating that American intelligence agencies instigated the two oil tankers to enter the area earlier that day.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard said that the Strait of Hormuz remains "extremely unsafe" and "completely closed." Until military actions by the United States are stopped, oil, natural gas, and fertilizer exports from this region will continue to be blocked, and ships should avoid areas with mines.
The Iranian military has not disclosed information such as casualties, flags, and ownership details of the two oil tankers.
