Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said two oil tankers exploded after striking sea mines while attempting to navigate an unauthorized route through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, warning that vessels must comply with maritime safety restrictions imposed by Iranian authorities.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the IRGC Navy’s public relations office said both vessels had switched off their navigation systems in an apparent attempt to pass through the waterway covertly, in violation of the rules governing transit through the restricted area.

One of the vessels, described as a supertanker, was still burning following a powerful explosion, according to the Iranian statement. Further details about the vessels, their crews and the extent of the damage had not been independently confirmed.

The incident comes amid escalating maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international shipping corridor through which a substantial share of the world's oil supplies passes.

Iranian authorities said the latest incidents followed repeated warnings to vessels attempting to cross prohibited areas of the waterway.

On Saturday, the Iranian Army’s Navy reported that an oil tanker had caught fire after striking naval mines in a restricted area east of the strait. The vessel had continued toward the prohibited zone despite repeated warnings, according to the Iranian military.

On Friday, four vessels reportedly encountered difficulties while attempting to use the same unauthorized route. Iranian sources said the ships had disregarded warnings and were reportedly operating with US military backing.

The allegations regarding the vessels’ navigation systems, their compliance with Iranian warnings and the reported US military support had not been independently verified.

The IRGC Navy said Iran's policy on managing maritime traffic through the strait remained unchanged, dismissing US President Donald Trump's claims concerning the situation as false.

The latest incidents underscore the growing risks facing commercial shipping as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to affect maritime security in the Gulf.

Iran maintains that its restrictions are intended to enforce maritime security and prevent vessels from violating designated navigation routes. Tehran has repeatedly warned that ships must comply with instructions issued by Iranian authorities when operating in restricted areas.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, making it one of the world's most strategically important energy corridors. Disruptions to shipping through the narrow waterway can have significant consequences for international oil markets and global energy supplies.

A separate incident reported on October 30 involved the tanker Louise 1, which was struck by two suspected limpet mines near Oman's Khasab, according to maritime security sources cited by Reuters. The crew were reported safe, and the fire was extinguished. Responsibility for that incident remained unclear.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has also continued to report security incidents involving commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz, advising ships to exercise caution while authorities investigate.

As of Sunday, no independent confirmation had emerged establishing the full circumstances of the two latest explosions, including the identities of the tankers, the condition of their crews or the precise cause of the blasts.

The incidents are likely to intensify concerns over freedom of navigation, regional security and the potential economic consequences of further disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. (ILKHA)