Jul 23, Kathmandu - Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reported halting three oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, citing an explosion and subsequent fire on one of the vessels.

The IRGC claimed that these tankers, which were trying to navigate south of the Strait of Hormuz, were detained while trying to cross a route influenced by American provocations and enticements. Iranian media quoted a statement asserting that the United States had betrayed agreements and that any vessel seeking to cross the vital waterway without Iran’s consent would face similar consequences.

Meanwhile, U.S. military forces conducted strikes targeting locations in western Iran—including Ahvaz, Ramsar, and Andimesk—and near a nuclear power plant in southern Iran. Reports indicate that two individuals were killed in the city of Shalamcheh, located at the Iraq border, during these attacks.

The U.S. Central Command stated that the strikes aimed to weaken Iran's ability to threaten regional maritime navigation and commercial vessels. Currently, both nations are competing for control of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for global oil transportation.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened to destroy Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, with bombs.

Iranian Foreign Minister Sayed Abbas Araghchi responded via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing Iran’s right to self-defense and warning that any attack on Iran’s infrastructure would be met with a strong and decisive response.