Iran's IRGC Claims Oil Tanker El Gaia Exploded on Sea Mine in Strait of Hormuz; US Rejects Account
Late on Monday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the oil tanker El Gaia detonated after hitting a sea mine in the Strait of Hormuz. State broadcaster IRIB, referencing the IRGC, reported that the vessel was navigating the southern route of the strait, which the IRGC claimed had been mined by Iran. Following the explosion, the entire ship was engulfed in flames, according to the IRGC. However, the US military disputed this narrative. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on social media that the Panama-flagged El Gaia had previously been incapacitated by an Iranian missile last month and was attacked again by a drone over the weekend while anchored near Oman, leading to conflicting accounts between Tehran and Washington regarding the incident's cause.
Key facts
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said an oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz after striking a sea mine.
- The vessel was identified as the El Gaia.
- The IRGC said the tanker was travelling the southern route through the strait, which it said Iran had mined.
- State broadcaster IRIB reported the IRGC's account, saying the entire vessel went up in flames after the mine detonated.
- The US military rejected the IRGC's account.
- US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Panama-flagged El Gaia was struck by an Iranian missile last month and rendered inoperable.
- CENTCOM said Iran struck the tanker again with a drone this weekend while it sat in waters off the coast of Oman.
- The IRGC statement was issued late on Monday.
Entities
Institutions
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
- IRGC
- US Central Command
- CENTCOM
- IRIB
Locations
- Strait of Hormuz
- Iran
- United States
- Oman
- Panama