Three oil tankers reportedly exploded and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after entering a shipping route not authorized by Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has announced.

The incidents began in the early hours of November 8. The statement said all three vessels were engulfed in flames, with thick smoke rising over the Strait of Hormuz, according to sepahnews.ir.

The IRGC Navy attributed the incidents to the tankers switching off their navigation and identification systems, as well as actions by the US military.

The Iranian naval force said its regulations governing passage through the Strait of Hormuz had been repeatedly communicated to all vessels operating in the area.

It also warned that ships using unauthorized routes with US military assistance could face similar consequences.

The claims were made by the IRGC Navy.