The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says two supertankers, carrying a total of more than 4 million barrels of oil, have suffered massive explosions and were disabled in the Strait of Hormuz after ignoring repeated warnings against using an unauthorized and unsafe southern shipping route.

"Last night, two violating oil tankers—which had ignored repeated warnings from the Strait of Hormuz traffic control center of the IRGC Navy regarding the unauthorized and unsafe nature of the southern route —faced an incident while transiting through this unauthorized path in the Strait of Hormuz, and stopped sailing following a massive explosion," said the IRGC Navy public relations office in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, both supertankers were carrying a combined cargo of more than four million barrels of oil and were now burning.

It issued a stark warning to vessels placing their trust in the US military, which it described as a “smuggling” force.

“Any vessel in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz that switches off its navigation systems and cooperates with the US smuggling army in transiting the unauthorized southern route through the Strait of Hormuz will meet a similar fate,” the IRGC said.

Iranian forces have maintained full control over transit through the Strait — through which roughly one-fifth of global oil normally passes — requiring prior authorization and confining safe passage exclusively to designated northern corridors.

Southern routes near Omani waters have been declared unauthorized and mined, with IRGC Navy statements confirming that vessels attempting to use them after disabling AIS systems have struck mines, exploded, and caught fire.

IRGC Navy says two more oil tankers ablaze in Strait of Hormuz after hitting mines

An oil tanker caught fire after hitting a naval mine in a restricted and unsafe area in the eastern Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday, according to Iran’s Army Navy.

IRGC Navy units have repeatedly intercepted or neutralized ships attempting covert transit, including those linked to the Israeli regime or operating under US encouragement.

IRGC commanders have stressed that empty American promises of escort and protection have repeatedly proven hollow, as vessels trusting such assurances have been halted or destroyed.

The force has underscored that only ships complying with Iranian rules can transit safely, while those serving the interests of the aggressors face decisive consequences.

Iran imposed the restrictions on the strait in response to the latest round of US-Israeli aggression, which began on February 28.