Hyderabad, Sept. 2 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said two oil tankers caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, September 2, amid a widening military confrontation between Tehran and Washington.

The IRGC said the tankers "hit mines, exploded and were disabled" while attempting to pass through what it described as an unauthorised route. It accused the US military of encouraging the vessels to abandon what Iran considers the legal route through the strategic waterway.

The Guard warned maritime companies against using routes it deemed unauthorised, saying further punitive measures against vessels and companies that failed to follow its instructions would be implemented.

Qatar condemned the attacks...