WANA (Jul 21) – The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in Statement No. 34 that two tankers attempting to pass through what it described as an unsafe route south of the Strait of Hormuz caught fire following explosions and were forced to stop.

 

According to the statement, rescue teams are evacuating the crews from the affected vessels, and emergency operations are ongoing.

 

The IRGC said its Navy continues its mission to monitor the Strait of Hormuz and again warned shipping companies not to rely on what it described as misleading information provided by the U.S. military. It urged vessels to avoid routes it characterized as dangerous in order to ensure the safety of their crews and ships.

 

The statement further asserted that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed as long as what it called U.S. actions in the region continue, adding that no oil, gas, or other cargo would be exported through the waterway.

 

The IRGC also said punitive operations against U.S. military bases had begun in response to what it described as maritime violations, adding that further details would be released in subsequent statements.