The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire while attempting to pass through "unauthorized routes" in the Strait of Hormuz. One large oil tanker struck a mine and caught fire last night in the southern shipping lane of the strait; a second Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) caught fire while exiting the eastern section of the waterway, followed by an explosion and fire on a tugboat that had been dispatched to extinguish the flames. The statement added that its naval electronic warfare units intercepted two invading U.S. LUCAS drones, forcing them down and capturing them intact. Iran blamed the United States for the incident, citing its persistent efforts to guide vessels through mined shipping lanes.