Two tankers were reported to have struck mines and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday, heightening tensions in the region.
The incident occurred in the narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, a critical shipping lane for global oil traffic. According to the IRGC, the mines damaged the vessels before they were set ablaze.
In the same breath, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran to reach a deal, adding that the conflict would end soon. Trump’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the safety of international shipping in the area.
The U.S. has repeatedly urged Iran to negotiate a resolution, citing the potential for broader regional instability if the situation escalates further.
While the exact number of vessels affected remains unclear, the incident underscores the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the risks posed by maritime mines in a heavily trafficked waterway.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>