15 September 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : The United States has rejected an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claim that a Panama-flagged oil tanker struck a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the vessel had instead been attacked by Iranian forces on two separate occasions.
The vessel, identified as the El Gaia, was reportedly involved in a weekend maritime incident off the coast of Oman. The latest dispute has added to already heightened tensions around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
US Disputes IRGC Version
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Iranian claim that the tanker hit a naval mine was false.
According to the US military, the tanker had already been struck by an Iranian attack in the previous month and suffered another attack over the weekend. US officials said the second incident was not the result of the vessel accidentally hitting a mine.
Iran Reported a Naval Mine Explosion
The IRGC had said that the tanker struck a naval mine while attempting to navigate through an area it described as restricted.
Iranian state-linked media reported that the incident caused an explosion and fire aboard the vessel. The Iranian account differed sharply from the version subsequently provided by CENTCOM.
US Says Tanker Was Previously Targeted
CENTCOM said the El Gaia had previously been targeted by Iran and was rendered inoperable following the earlier incident.
The US military’s account indicates that the latest damage should be viewed in the context of an ongoing series of attacks and maritime confrontations in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian Crew Members Aboard
The incident has also raised concerns in India because the tanker was reportedly carrying an Indian crew.
According to reports, the vessel had 14 Indian nationals aboard. Thirteen crew members have been rescued, while search operations have continued for one missing Indian crew member.
Strait of Hormuz Remains a Major Flashpoint
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes, making any attack involving commercial shipping particularly significant.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the safety of merchant vessels and the potential impact of continuing US-Iran tensions on international shipping and energy supplies.
Competing Claims Add to Uncertainty
The conflicting accounts from Tehran and Washington mean that the precise circumstances of the latest tanker incident remain contested.
Iran’s IRGC says the vessel struck a naval mine, while CENTCOM says Iranian forces directly attacked the tanker. The two sides have offered fundamentally different explanations for what happened.
Maritime Security Under Scrutiny
The incident comes amid a broader deterioration in maritime security around the Strait of Hormuz.
Commercial vessels operating in the region face heightened risks from missiles, drones, mines and other military activity. Any prolonged disruption could have wider consequences for global shipping and energy markets.
Investigation and Rescue Efforts Continue
Authorities and maritime agencies are continuing to assess the incident while search efforts remain focused on the missing crew member.
The safety of the remaining crew and determining how the tanker was damaged are expected to remain key priorities as the competing claims are examined.