TEHRAN, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday that four "violating" oil tankers that sought to cross the Strait of Hormuz via the "forbidden" route south of the waterway exploded after hitting naval mines.
The explosions set the vessels on fire, while two other ships attempting to cross the strait were also stopped, according to a statement published on the IRGC's official news outlet, Sepah News.
In a separate operation on Wednesday, the IRGC said its air defense forces shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz at 4:30 a.m. local time (0100 GMT), the 56th MQ-9 Reaper drone intercepted by its air defense forces in recent months.
The IRGC warned that its forces were ready to deliver the "final blow" to Israel and the United States.
On Tuesday, the IRGC said its air defense forces struck two U.S. low-cost uncrewed combat attack system drones over the southern Iranian port city of Bandar-e Khamir earlier in the day.
The Iranian military tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 28, barring safe passage for vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. ■
