Svmuu News: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran issued a statement on the 18th stating that two oil tankers exploded and caught fire while passing through a mined area in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz. The statement said that due to recent U.S. military operations, the Strait of Hormuz has been “completely closed,” and that oil and natural gas shipments cannot pass through the strait until the U.S. ceases its military operations against Iran; vessels should avoid entering the mined area. The statement did not specify the nationalities of the two oil tankers, casualties, or the extent of the damage. (Jin Shi)