Iran Claims Control of Strait of Hormuz, Says 2 Oil Tankers Hit Mines, Warns US Warships Against Gulf | Today’s news
Asserting that Tehran maintains full control over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accused two oil supertankers carrying more than 4.5 million barrels of oil combined with naval mine strikes while attempting to use what it described as an unauthorized passage through the strategic waterway, ANI reported.
The claims come amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, with US officials discussing the possibility of military action against Iran even as diplomatic efforts continue.
The IRGC said maritime security is maintained according to Iranian regulations. Its navy claimed the two supertankers attempted to sail through the southern route, which was not authorized by Iranian authorities.
Explosions and fires in the vessels’ engine rooms disabled the tankers and forced their crews to abandon ship, according to a statement from the IRGC Navy’s Public Relations Office, reported by Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
Iran warns US military vessels against entering the Persian Gulf
Iran has also warned that it will not allow US military vessels to enter the Persian Gulf, rejecting Washington’s claim that Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened.
Major General Ali Abdollahi, chief of the general staff of Iran’s armed forces, said Iranian forces have rendered the US navy ineffective in the region, Iran’s state-run Press TV reported.
“The US president only has to dream that their army and military will enter the Persian Gulf again. They will take this wish to their grave,” Abdollahi said, adding that Iran would not allow US military vessels to enter the Persian Gulf.
He also questioned US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that Iran’s nuclear facilities had been destroyed and questioned why Washington continued to raise concerns about Tehran’s nuclear program if those facilities had already been dismantled.
Abdollahi accused the US president of making statements to mislead public opinion.
Read also | Iran threatens broader strikes on economic and civilian targets if the US attacks
The US says Gulf oil exports have recovered
The competing demands for maritime security come as the Strait of Hormuz remains central to concerns about global energy supplies and international shipping.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday that oil exports from the Persian Gulf had risen above pre-conflict levels despite Iran’s attempts to disrupt shipping.
In a post on X, Bessent said exports were “roaring” past pre-conflict levels. He added that Iran’s threats had failed to stop the flow of energy to global markets.
Iran, meanwhile, maintains restrictions on maritime traffic through the strait and has warned that vessels attempting to pass through without coordinating with its authorities could face serious consequences.
The waterway is a critical route for global oil supplies, so any disruption could be a potential problem for energy markets and shipping operators.
Read also | Iran War: Mohsen Rezaei Says ‘Not One Gram of Enriched Uranium Will Leave’
US attack on Iran possible this weekend, ambassador says
Uncertainty about the possibility of further military action has added to tensions between the two countries.
US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said on Friday that a US strike on Iran could happen this weekend, although Trump said he remained open to a diplomatic deal.
Barrack said diplomatic negotiations are underway involving regional countries, including Pakistan and Qatar. Topics discussed included the Strait of Hormuz, uranium enrichment, sanctions relief, unfreezing Iranian assets, and security commitments to Israel.
Trump appeared to distance himself from the ambassador’s remarks when asked about the prospect of an imminent strike after arriving in Florida.
Later, during a campaign rally in Florida, Trump warned that Washington could unleash “another little Epic Fury” against Iran if Tehran does not reach a deal.
