The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that two oil tankers struck mines and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz about two hours ago. The claim, posted by the IRGC, provides no details on the vessels' identity, nationality, or casualties.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has directly claimed that two oil tankers struck mines and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz, providing no details on their identity, nationality, or casualties. The claim, posted by the IRGC itself, follows a sequence of reports that began at 20:30 Jerusalem on Friday, when the first unverified accounts of an attack on a Thai-flagged vessel emerged. By 00:59 Jerusalem Saturday, The Zioneer reported unconfirmed sources describing an attack on two oil-carrying ships. The current IRGC statement is the first to specify the method (mines) and assert explosions, but it does not clarify the timing beyond 'about two hours ago.'
Initial reports at 20:30 Jerusalem Friday from Iranian sources (Tasnim) and Israeli outlets (ynet, Channel 14) described an attack on a Thai-flagged vessel that had ignored warnings, and later that same hour, Channel 14 attributed an IRGC claim of responsibility for a tanker attack. The corroboration evolved from a single Iranian source to multiple newsrooms, but all remained unverified. At 00:59 Jerusalem Saturday, The Zioneer reported unconfirmed sources indicating two ships were targeted. Now, the IRGC's own statement directly claims responsibility for two tankers, using mines, but independent confirmation is still lacking.
As The Zioneer reported on July 12, the IRGC had begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and naval commando divers were reported present. On July 14, the IRGC claimed a fatal attack on an Emirati tanker and warned against US cooperation. The current claim fits a pattern of IRGC operations in the strait, but the specific vessels and the extent of damage remain unverified.
What remains open: the identity and nationality of the two tankers, any casualties, the precise location of the explosions, and independent verification of the IRGC's account. No maritime or third-party source has confirmed the incident.
5 developments
- DevelopingIRGC fires warning shots at several vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
- DevelopingIRGC says it struck two vessels attempting to illegally cross the Strait of Hormuz
- StrongIRGC attacked vessel in Strait of Hormuz overnight, Channel 14 reports
- DevelopingIRGC Begins Laying Mines in Strait of Hormuz; Unverified Reports of Naval Commando Divers
Source and signal
- Internal intake