U.S. Central Command said claims that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz are unfounded [1], [2].

The dispute highlights the fragile security environment in one of the world's most critical shipping lanes. Because the Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, conflicting reports of naval mines can trigger immediate global energy market volatility.

The statement from CENTCOM came on June 25, 2026 [1]. It was issued in direct response to assertions made by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which alleged that two tankers had been destroyed by mines [2]. The U.S. military command sought to correct the information to prevent an unjustified escalation of tensions in the region.

"The claim that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz is unfounded," said a U.S. Central Command spokesperson [1].

While the U.S. denied the explosions, the IRGC continued to assert its influence over the waterway. A senior official of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said, "We will not accept any new shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with Iran" [2].

U.S. officials said that the IRGC's narrative was part of a broader effort to misrepresent U.S. capabilities in the region [2]. The discrepancy between the two accounts underscores a pattern of information warfare intended to project power over the strategic maritime corridor.

“"The claim that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz is unfounded,"”

This clash of narratives demonstrates the use of strategic disinformation to influence maritime security perceptions. By claiming the success of mine warfare, the IRGC attempts to signal its ability to disrupt global oil flows, while the prompt U.S. denial serves to stabilize markets and maintain the legitimacy of international shipping routes.