Two Oil Tankers Damaged in Strait of Hormuz, Iran Claims

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed on Thursday that two oil tankers struck sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. The incident marked another escalation in the volatile waters separating Iran from Oman, where shipping traffic remains vulnerable to disruption.

The IRGC's assertion came as regional concerns deepened over potential military confrontation between the United States and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-third of global seaborne oil trade passes, has become a focal point of geopolitical tension, with both sides accusing the other of destabilizing activities in the waterway.

Details regarding the condition of the vessels and the nature of damage sustained were not immediately clarified. The incident raised questions about freedom of navigation in the strategic corridor, with implications for energy markets and shipping companies operating across South and Southeast Asia.

Pakistan's government issued a statement urging both Washington and Tehran to resume diplomatic negotiations to de-escalate tensions. Islamabad expressed concern that further confrontation could destabilize the broader region and disrupt vital international trade routes that serve numerous nations, including India and other South Asian economies dependent on energy imports from the Middle East.