A dispute has emerged over the cause of damage to the Panama-flagged oil tanker El Gaia in the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. Central Command rejecting claims by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that the vessel struck naval mines. The IRGC had previously asserted that the incident was evidence of mining activity in the strategically vital waterway, but CENTCOM has not provided alternative explanations for the tanker’s reported issues. The conflicting accounts highlight ongoing tensions in the region, where maritime security remains a key concern. Details on the tanker’s condition or any investigation into the incident are still pending.
CENTCOM disputes the IRGC claim that the Panama-flagged oil tanker El Gaia hit naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
