Iran claims four ships hit sea mines in Persian Gulf

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that four ships struck naval mines in the Persian Gulf, triggering fires on board and raising fresh concerns over maritime security amid escalating regional tensions.

According to the IRGC, the vessels caught fire after colliding with sea mines. Iranian officials alleged that all four ships were illegally transporting oil, although independent confirmation of the claims was not immediately available.

The announcement comes as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to threaten shipping routes and energy supplies across the Gulf region.

The IRGC also issued a warning to Washington, saying that US military bases in the region could be targeted if what it described as provocations continued. The statement adds to concerns about a possible escalation that could affect commercial shipping and critical energy infrastructure.

Two days earlier, the Iranian force had reported that two oil tankers struck naval mines in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. According to the earlier statement, both vessels caught fire following the incidents.

The latest claims raise questions about the safety of maritime traffic in waters vital to global energy markets. The Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz serve as crucial routes for oil and other energy shipments, making any disruption potentially significant for international trade.

However, details about the identities, ownership and precise locations of the four ships were not provided in the supplied report. It was also unclear whether the vessels suffered structural damage beyond the reported fires or whether any crew members were injured.

The allegations that the ships were involved in illegal oil transportation have not been independently verified. No additional information was immediately available regarding the circumstances of the reported mine strikes or the origin of the explosives.

The developments come amid heightened concern over the security of Gulf shipping lanes, where military confrontations or suspected attacks can have far-reaching economic consequences.

With the IRGC warning of possible strikes against US regional bases, the latest incident could further complicate efforts to prevent a wider confrontation.

For now, the reported fires and conflicting security concerns underscore the vulnerability of commercial vessels operating in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime regions. Further independent information is needed to establish the full circumstances of the incidents.