TEHRAN: Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Saturday reported that two oil tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz struck mines and caught fire, a statement contested by the U.S. military.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, with about 20% of the world's petroleum passing through its narrow waters.

“An hour ago, two oil tankers, which were trying to pass through the minefield south of the Strait of Hormuz by deceptive American intelligence agencies, exploded and caught fire,” the Guards said in a statement published by state news agency IRNA, without identifying the tankers.

The Guards warned, "To protect their capital and, more importantly, their lives, sailors should not be misled into entering the minefield."

US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a brief denial, saying on X, “Like most IRGC claims, this is false.”

In a separate statement on Saturday, the Guards announced they had "stopped" four vessels attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz.

“In the past hours, four violating ships with the support of the terrorist US army were trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and all four ships were stopped in place during a combined missile and drone operation,” the Guards said in a statement carried by the state broadcaster.

Iran has again virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz for a week.

It is seeking to control the vital waterway and has been warning tankers and cargo ships to only use channels close to its coastline, to the north of the strait, and not southern corridors the United States has been attempting to protect.

The US, in response to Iran’s threats to shipping in the strait, reimposed a navy blockade against Iranian ports. It has also been carrying out nightly airstrikes on targets in Iran aimed at weakening Tehran’s abilities to monitor and threaten the strait.

The escalation marks a serious confrontation in the region, with both sides accusing each other of disrupting maritime security. The U.S. has reinforced its naval presence and conducted airstrikes to counter Iran's threats, while Iran continues to assert control over the strait. The situation remains tense, with potential impacts on global oil prices and supply chains.