IRGC says mines in Strait of Hormuz set two oil tankers ablaze and downed US drone

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that mines planted by its naval forces in the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz exploded, setting two "violating" oil tankers ablaze and stopping them. The IRGC Navy warned that crossing the mined route would result in "nothing but the assets of violators being set on fire." It also said that if what it called the "mischief" of the US administration continues, oil companies will have to pay a bigger price.

The statement said IRGC air defense forces, monitoring the airspace over the Strait of Hormuz overnight, identified a US MQ-9 drone and immediately struck it, destroying and downing it. The IRGC said its naval and aerospace forces are continuously monitoring the region and remain loyal to their pledge to the Leader and the people, maintaining control and management over the Strait of Hormuz and keeping pressure on what it termed "world-devouring wolves."

The IRGC praised the Iranian people's resistance, saying their continued presence in the streets for over 230 nights had brought the "biggest victory" and spurred mobilization across five continents. The statement did not provide further details on the tankers' nationalities, the extent of the damage, or the exact timing of the incidents.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway through which a significant portion of global oil shipments passes. Tensions in the region have repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and the potential impact on international energy markets.

According to Mehr News, the IRGC statement reiterated its warning that the mined route is illegal and that violators' assets would be set on fire. The report added that the IRGC described the downing of the drone and the tanker incidents as part of its ongoing control over the strait.