IRGC claims it downed US drone, set two tankers ablaze near Hormuz
The IRGC said the mines halted and set ablaze two tankers as tensions rose over control of shipping lanes and U.S. escort operations.
- On Tuesday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed naval mines halted two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and asserted it shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone, though maritime authorities have not confirmed either incident.
- Since February 28, 2026, U.S. and Israeli strikes have disrupted transit through the waterway, prompting Tehran to target vessels navigating southern routes it deems illegal.
- IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi warned seven major undersea communication cables crossing the strait are potential targets, expanding on Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei's earlier warning that regional digital infrastructure worth $2 trillion is "within range."
- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in Baghdad that Tehran's proposal to reopen the waterway within seven days remains on the table, though he dismissed U.S. sincerity regarding the offer.
- Traders often discount IRGC reports until specific vessels are identified, while international maritime monitors recorded 125 outbound and 129 inbound transits last week—a fraction of pre-war traffic levels.
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Sea mine crisis re-emerges in Strait of Hormuz as Tehran urges Washington to accept deal - NEW YORK TIMES POST
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Sea mines have resurfaced as a threat in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran claimed Oct.17 that two oil tankers caught fire after striking the explosives, raising fresh alarms over the safety of one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. This came as the International Maritime [...]
From Tehran, they warned that, should hostilities resume, the region's digital infrastructure — including submarine cables, data centres and artificial intelligence facilities — would remain within Iran's reach.
An oil tanker caught fire after reaching a sea mine south of the Strait of Ormuz, according to the Navy of the Revolutionary Guard of Iran. According to the Iranian press, the boat would be violating the country's standards.
IRGC mines set tankers ablaze as Tehran threatens expanded attacks
Iran’s foreign ministry further warned Washington it would retaliate against any strike, and an IRGC spokesperson threatened to target undersea internet cables in the Gulf in another escalation of the ongoing war of words between Tehran and Washington.
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