CENTCOM Rejects Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Tanker Explosion Allegations Amid Rising Gulf Tensions

Florida (US), July 18, 2026;

CENTCOM Iran claims took center stage after the United States Central Command rejected Tehran‘s allegations that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The denial comes as military tensions between the US and Iran continue to intensify across the Gulf region.

In a statement shared on social media, CENTCOM dismissed the accusations made by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stating that the reported tanker explosions did not occur as described. The US military maintained that the Iranian narrative was not based on factual events.

Earlier, the IRGC had claimed that two commercial oil tankers caught fire after striking mines allegedly placed in waters south of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported that the vessels had attempted to pass through what Tehran described as a mined area linked to alleged American intelligence activities.

Iranian authorities also stated that their naval forces intercepted four additional vessels attempting to move through the strategically significant waterway. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s busiest energy corridors, carrying a substantial share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports.

The exchange of accusations comes as US military operations against Iranian targets entered their seventh consecutive night. According to CENTCOM, the ongoing strikes are aimed at reducing Iran’s military capabilities and limiting its operational capacity.

The latest developments follow earlier warnings from US President Donald Trump regarding possible action against Iranian infrastructure. While the US administration has not publicly confirmed attacks on civilian facilities, Iran has accused Washington of striking locations including transportation infrastructure such as airports, railway stations and bridges.

In response, Tehran announced a series of military operations targeting American military installations and naval assets across the Middle East. Iranian officials claimed attacks were carried out against US-linked facilities in Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman and Syria, describing the actions as retaliation for recent American military operations.

Separately, CENTCOM confirmed that US forces destroyed a surveillance tower at Shahid Kalantari Port in Chabahar on July 16. According to the US military, the installation formed part of an Iranian maritime surveillance system allegedly used by the IRGC to monitor and track commercial shipping movements in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest exchange of military actions and conflicting claims has further heightened concerns over regional stability, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.