[Iran Claims Three Oil Tankers Hit Mines in the Strait of Hormuz] According to Golden Finance, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran stated on October 20 that a supertanker engaged in illegal navigation exploded and caught fire after hitting a mine in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier that day, the IRGC reported that two "violating" oil tankers had struck naval mines deployed by its forces in the Strait of Hormuz, causing the vessels to explode, catch fire, and be forced to halt operations. The IRGC warned that attempting to traverse mine-deployed areas within the strait constitutes "illegal" behavior and will result in the destruction of the violators' assets. It further cautioned that if the U.S. continues such "malicious actions," oil companies will face even more severe consequences. (CCTV International News)