Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed two oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking mines in the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday, declaring the waterway "really dangerous and completely closed." The statement, carried by state media, did not specify the vessels' nationalities or any casualties. The corps also said it had blocked four additional ships from transiting the strait.
The United States Central Command swiftly disputed the claim, calling it false. The confrontation comes after a ceasefire in place since mid-June collapsed when Donald Trump denounced Iranian attacks on shipping. The US has since reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports and on Friday conducted its seventh consecutive night of air strikes, with missiles hitting Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Lar, Darab and Yazd.
Iran's health ministry says at least 38 people have been killed and more than 400 wounded since exchanges between the two countries resumed on 28 February.