Two oil tankers exploded overnight in the Strait of Hormuz.
On the 18th (local time), according to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that "two oil tankers exploded, causing a large fire."
The IRGC also said, "An hour ago, the oil tankers tried to pass through a mine-laying zone in the southern Strait of Hormuz after being deceived by U.S. intelligence agencies."
The tanker explosions appear to have occurred around midnight on the 18th local time in Iran. It was not confirmed whether there were casualties or what the flag state was.
With the United States and Iran effectively breaking away from a de facto end-of-war memorandum of understanding (MOU), armed clashes have continued for seven days in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), on the 16th (local time), a report was filed that an oil tanker near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unidentified projectile.
The IRGC said, "We declare that the Strait of Hormuz is completely closed due to the evil acts of U.S. forces," adding, "As long as U.S. aggression does not end, it will be impossible to export even chemical fertilizer or a single drop of crude oil and gas through this area."
It added, "Ships must not be deceived in order to protect their asset and, above all, their own lives," and "Do not enter the mine-laying zone."
Meanwhile, IRNA reported that the IRGC Navy shot down one U.S. MQ-9 drone over the southern port city of Bushehr.