Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday claimed that two oil tankers were disabled after explosions while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, alleging that the vessels had been encouraged by the U.S. military to use what it described as an unsafe southern shipping route.
The IRGC did not identify the vessels, disclose their flags or ownership, or provide details on their crews or whether there were any casualties.
Reuters said it could not independently verify the claims.
Iran Blames U.S. Military
In a statement, the Revolutionary Guards alleged that the United States had directed the tankers through a dangerous passage in the strategically vital waterway.
The IRGC warned that the Strait of Hormuz would remain unsafe as long as what it described as continued U.S. “aggression” in the region.
It further claimed that the route would not be secure “for the transit of petrochemical products, nor even a single drop of oil and gas.”
Fresh Threat Against Washington
The Revolutionary Guards also issued a direct warning to the U.S. military, saying it should prepare for what it called a “punitive operation.”
The statement comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, where the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, handling a significant share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
There was no immediate response from the U.S. military regarding the allegations.
(with inputs from Reuters)
