Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has announced that it stopped two supertankers carrying a combined total of more than four million barrels of oil as they attempted to pass through the southern shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz.

Several explosions occurred before the vessels were intercepted, followed by a fire, according to Iran International.

The Iranian military claimed that the crews had ignored repeated warnings issued by its maritime traffic control centre.

The IRGC also warned that other vessels operating in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz could face similar consequences if they switch off their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and cooperate with the US armed forces.

The statement did not disclose the names or flags of the two tankers or provide further details about the reported explosions and fire.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes, serving as a major corridor for global oil shipments.