Conflict & Security
Iran says two Hormuz tankers struck under US escort
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Friday they struck and halted two oil tankers trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under US “air escort”.
The Guards called the vessels “non-compliant oil tankers” and said four other oil tankers quickly changed course and returned to their previous positions.
They said the two tankers had tried to pass through the strait via an undeclared route, described by the Guards as a US-backed alternative to Tehran's designated waterway closer to Iran's shores.
The statement added a direct strike claim to Iran's account of a maritime confrontation in the strategic waterway. The Guards had said Thursday that two oil tankers trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz turned back after one of them caught fire.
Iran has effectively maintained control over navigation through Hormuz since the war began on February 28. Tehran requires vessels to obtain permission and pay transit fees before using the waterway.
Update
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the tankers attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz via an undeclared route.
The Guards described the undeclared route as a US-backed alternative to Tehran's designated waterway closer to Iran's shores.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 09:49:29 UTC.
Update
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the two oil tankers were struck and brought to a halt.
The Guards said four other oil tankers quickly changed course and returned to their previous positions.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 09:35:49 UTC.
Update
Iran said it struck two tankers trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under US “air escort”.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 09:26:09 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The source item gives no independent confirmation of the Guards' strike claim, the US air escort claim, or the condition of the tankers.
The identities, flags and crews of the tankers are not provided.
Source
AFP news report published on .