Strait of Hormuz tanker attacks claimed by Iran as US rejects reports

Iran claimed on Thursday that seven oil tankers were hit and damaged in the Strait of Hormuz, marking what it described as the heaviest daily toll in the vital waterway since its conflict with the United States and Israel began on February 28.

According to a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps published on its Sepah News outlet, four of the ships caught fire during overnight strikes while transferring crude. The IRGC asserted that the remaining three vessels were incapacitated by naval mines. The announcement omitted details regarding ship registration or potential casualties, and the assertions have not been verified independently.

Tehran accompanied the announcement with direct warnings to Washington, cautioning that American military installations across the Middle East could be targeted if US forces assist commercial tankers moving through alternate sectors of the waterway. The IRGC characterized the warning as serious, stating that regional conflict would spread to American bases if current operations persist.

US President Donald Trump rejected the claims, accusing Tehran of fabricating maritime incidents in an attempt to manipulate energy markets. In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump argued that Iran was trying to push crude prices higher ahead of upcoming US midterm elections, adding that vessel traffic carrying oil through the passage currently exceeds pre-conflict levels.

An unnamed spokesperson for US Central Command told Al Jazeera that assertions regarding sea mines were false. The official stated that American forces have swept mine threats from international navigation corridors, adding that Tehran has instead relied on drones and missiles. The spokesperson maintained that Hormuz remains accessible to commercial traffic, with 95 percent of ships successfully traversing the route, and characterized the recent strikes as evidence of Iranian desperation under American blockade pressure.

The strait historically served as a conduit for one-fifth of global petroleum shipments prior to the outbreak of hostilities. While Tehran asserts control over maritime passage and targets ships moving without its approval, the US military has expanded escort missions for merchant traffic.

The developments come amid growing domestic focus on the economic fallout of the conflict in the United States. Observers note public dissatisfaction over fuel costs and the financial burdens of sustained military engagement as American voters prepare to head to the polls for midterm elections.