The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed the vessels were using a prohibited southern route after US military strikes on Iran.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday that four oil tankers were destroyed after hitting naval sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports from BBC News and WION, the IRGC stated the vessels were attempting to travel through a prohibited or unauthorised southern route near the Omani coast.
The IRGC claimed that three tankers exploded and caught fire after striking mines, while two additional vessels were seized or halted. The IRGC also reported shooting down an MQ-9 drone over the strait. This follows US military strikes on Qeshm, which US President Donald Trump acknowledged on Tuesday.
The IRGC challenged US claims that key shipping routes have been cleared, with spokesman Hossein Mohebi demanding independent evidence. The IRGC stated that the violating tankers had switched off all radar and navigation systems and disregarded warnings from the IRGC navy.
Iran's parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the country is ready for battle but suggested US midterm election results showed Americans said no to war. President Masoud Pezeshkian maintained that his government is trying to resolve the crisis through dialogue, stating that no one will benefit from this war.
The conflict was triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Iran has said it will only reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the US agrees to a seven-step peace plan, which foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said could be implemented in two days if agreed upon.
