Iranian Revolutionary Guard Reports Third Oil Tanker Blast in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced that a third oil tanker using an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz struck a naval mine and exploded Tuesday afternoon, with the vessel still burning east of the strait. The Guard's naval forces statement said smoke from the blast and fire covered the sky. It claimed that after U.S. military coastal radars and navigation support systems south of the strait were destroyed, tankers using illegal routes face greater risks and some have hit naval mines. Guard spokesman Hossein Mohbi said two tankers attempting to cross in the morning were involved in incidents despite support from a U.S. F-35 fighter, without providing details. Iran closed the strait on July 12 after U.S. attacks resumed, and U.S.-Iran negotiations over navigation security have stalled.