🔻 Iran says that four oil tankers were damaged by an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz over two days.
Iranian military officials say four oil tankers were damaged by explosions in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and Thursday after they ignored warnings and entered restricted areas.
The IRGC's navy announced that two huge oil tankers were attacked following an explosion on Wednesday after entering a route it deemed "unauthorized". Iranian state media announced that the cause of the explosion was a collision with naval mines.
The Iranian military also said on Thursday that two more oil tankers caught fire in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a mine. The military claimed the ships ignored the warnings and turned off their radar systems.
Reuters reports that it was unable to independently verify the Iranian authorities' report.
Meanwhile, Britain's merchant marine operations said another vessel was targeted by unidentified launchers on Wednesday when it left the Strait of Hormuz and its engine room caught fire. All of the ship's crew members were evacuated.
These developments come as attacks on commercial ships continue despite an increase in shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and hopes for a reduction in tensions between Iran and the United States.