Iran, US Clash Over Tanker Incident Near Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC) claims that an oil tanker caught fire after hitting a naval mine while attempting to pass through what Tehran described as a restricted area south of the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC said the resulting blaze could not be contained and had spread throughout the vessel, but the US Central Command (CENTCOM) rejected Iran's account, saying the tanker did not strike a naval mine.

CENTCOM stated that the Panama-flagged oil tanker El Gaia was already damaged in an Iranian attack last month and was struck again over the weekend with a drone while the ship sat in waters off the coast of Oman.

The IRGC Navy Command warned the vessel about using what it called an 'illegal passage' before the incident, and said that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and remains under their control.