Iran reports oil tanker explosion after warning against route deviation in Strait of Hormuz

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday after striking a sea mine amid warnings regarding deviation from Iran-designated routes, according to Iran state media, in the latest escalation in the strategic waterway with the United States.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported that "a violating oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, which had deviated from the route designated by Iran, exploded after striking a sea mine."

The agency added that "the Islamic Republic of Iran had previously warned multiple times that if ships deviate from Iran's announced routes, they will be responsible for the consequences." 

The report did not identify the tanker or provide details on casualties or damage.

The incident comes hours after US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had redirected 12 commercial vessels, disabled two ships and boarded two others as part of what it described as efforts to "ensure total compliance" with its renewed maritime blockade on Iran. 

In a statement, CENTCOM said US forces had completed "a verification boarding" of the Comoros-flagged tanker M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea before allowing it to continue its voyage.

The latest developments come amid the renewed round of escalations between Iran and the US, which began on July 8, as Tehran threatens to launch strikes against regional infrastructure if Iranian facilities are targeted or Iran is barred from exporting oil.

On Sunday, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said Tehran had suspended retaliatory attacks after Washington halted its air campaign over the past two nights.

"These attacks continued until two nights ago, but over the past two nights the Americans have stopped their attacks," Akraminia said.

"Since... our strategy has essentially been retaliatory, we have also halted our retaliatory operations."

US President Donald Trump directed the US military not to conduct new strikes in Iran on Friday, breaking a nearly two-week streak of daily attacks. However, the US naval blockade on Iran continues.

Over the past two weeks, fighting in the strategic Strait of Hormuz derailed diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, which has since expanded beyond the vital energy corridor to include attacks on US bases, regional shipping and Gulf states.