Two Oil Tankers Hit Mines Near Strait of Hormuz — IRGC Claims U.S. Deceived Crews

Two oil tankers struck mines near the Strait of Hormuz, an area critical to global oil transit. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accused the United States of misleading the crews into a mined route. The incident followed reports that the IRGC had stopped four ships attempting to pass through the strait.

On July 17, 2026, two oil tankers hit mines near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a significant portion of the world's oil passes. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that the United States had deceived the crews into taking a route that led to the mines. The IRGC's statement was reported by TASS, a Russian state news agency. The Hindu, an Indian news outlet, reported separately that the IRGC had 'stopped' four ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz on July 18, 2026. This report does not mention the mine incidents or the U.S. involvement. The divergence between the two sources highlights conflicting narratives about the event: one attributes the mine strikes to U.S. deception, while the other focuses on the IRGC's actions in intercepting ships. The incident has raised concerns about the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy supply. The IRGC's accusation against the U.S. suggests a heightened level of tension between the two nations, with implications for regional stability and international trade.

Two Oil Tankers Hit Mines Near Strait of Hormuz — IRGC Claims U.S. Deceived Crews

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