Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced early Thursday that it had intercepted three oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement carried by state television and the official IRNA news agency.
The IRGC said the vessels attempted to use what it described as the "mined southern route" through the strategic waterway. According to the statement, one of the tankers exploded and caught fire, prompting the other two to turn back.
Strait of Hormuz closed again
Tehran has reimposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil and gas trade, following the renewed conflict with the United States.
Iranian authorities have also signalled plans to introduce transit fees for commercial vessels. During previous periods when the strait remained partially open, shipping traffic was restricted to a single route along the Iranian coastline.
"The Strait of Hormuz will remain completely closed as long as America continues its satanic actions in the region," the Revolutionary Guards said.
"No oil tanker will enter or leave," the statement added, warning that any vessel attempting passage without coordination with the Islamic Republic would face the same fate.
Saudi tanker hit in the Red Sea
Saudi Arabia confirmed that a tanker owned by a Saudi company was attacked in the Red Sea, according to the kingdom's official news agency SPA.
The confirmation came hours after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement claimed responsibility for strikes on two tankers.
Saudi authorities said the vessel Encelia was targeted while sailing in the Red Sea, causing a fire in the bow of the ship.
Officials said all crew members were safe.
US launches new strikes
Meanwhile, the US military said it had launched a new round of strikes against Iran.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), operations began at 5.30pm Washington time on Wednesday and targeted Iranian military assets.
"The mission will continue to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters," CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X.
At 5:30 p.m. ET today, U.S. forces began launching more strikes against Iranian military targets at the Commander in Chief's direction. The mission will continue to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 22, 2026
The operation is aimed at protecting commercial shipping routes, including those linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
