Two oil tankers caught fire and were forced to stop in the Strait of Hormuz after reportedly striking mines while attempting to use a route prohibited by Iran.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite branch of Iran's armed forces, announced the incident in a statement, according to TASS.

"Two tankers violating the rules, one east of the Strait of Hormuz and the other inside the strait, attempted to use a route not authorized by Iran, struck mines and came to a halt in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz," the statement said.

According to the IRGC, the vessels had switched off their navigation and identification systems and attempted to leave the strait via the prohibited route with support from the US military.

The statement stressed that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed by the IRGC Navy and will stay that way until Iran's seven conditions are met.

The IRGC also warned that attempts by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) to force tankers through areas contaminated with mines would only result in further losses.