El Gaia tanker explosion: Iran says naval mine, US claims Tehran hit vessel with missile & drone

A fresh tanker incident in the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a sharp blame game between Iran and the United States. Iran’s IRGC Navy claimed the El Gaia, also identified as Algaya, exploded after striking naval mines in a restricted area. Tehran said the tanker ignored warnings and violated a prohibited route. The U.S. rejected the mine claim, saying the vessel had previously been hit by an Iranian missile and was later targeted by a drone while off Oman. Washington said the damaged tanker was being towed by a regional partner. The conflicting accounts add to tensions around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.