Hormuz mines halted two tankers, Iran Guards say

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that their naval mines halted two oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on routes Tehran considers illegal.

The Guards said in a statement on their Sepah News website that two “violating oil tankers” were set ablaze and stopped by mines planted by the IRGC Navy at an illegal crossing point in the southern part of the strait.

The claim has not been independently confirmed in the supplied information.

The Guards also said they had shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone.

Iran has tried to blockade the strategic waterway since the Middle East war began on February 28, demanding that all ships seek its authorisation to cross. The United States has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday again blamed Washington for insecurity in the strait.

The Guards said on Monday that a tanker caught fire after hitting a mine, and said the previous day that two other tankers had hit mines.