Two criminal oil tankers caught fire after hitting a mine in the unauthorized Hormuz Strait: Iran Tehran, IRNA -. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy says two more oil tankers caught fire after an explosion while trying to pass through an unauthorized passage in the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement late on Sunday, the IRGC's public relations office announced that the two vessels attacked sea mines, with one of them - a supertanker - engulfed in flames following a powerful explosion.
It was also reported that the tankers, which are now at a complete standstill following the incident, canceled their navigation and identification systems, intending to pass covertly, at initiative of the US Army.
Iran has consistently asked vessels to follow authorized routes in coordination with the Persian Gulf Straits Authority to avoid any untoward incident.
The Revolutionary Guards accuse the US military of escalating maritime tensions by defrauding shipping and insurance companies and forcing them to sail on unauthorized routes, while disrupting the management of the Strait of Hormuz.