TEHRAN/WASHINGTON – The navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Friday night that two "violating" oil tankers exploded and caught fire within the preceding hour after hitting naval mines while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz through an "unauthorized" route.

In a statement on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News, the navy identified one vessel as a supertanker and said both had turned off their radar and navigation systems.

It warned shipowners and shipping companies that the same fate awaits those vessels trying to pass through the strait without coordination with its traffic-control center and in disregard of the Iranian regulations.

Iran tightened its grip on the strait on Feb 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.

Mossad chief visits US

Head of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad is visiting Washington on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presses US President Donald Trump to resume military operations against Iran, US media reported.

Mossad chief Roman Gofman, a close Netanyahu ally, is meeting CIA Director John Ratcliffe and is expected to travel to Miami for talks with White House envoy Steve Witkoff, according to US online media Axios, citing three sources familiar with the matter.

Mossad, the CIA and the White House declined to comment, said the report.

Trump has so far rejected pressure from Netanyahu to resume military strikes, favoring continued naval blockades and economic pressure on Iran while exploring a possible agreement.

The visit comes amid political uncertainty in Israel after Netanyahu lost his parliamentary majority in the Oct 27 election. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked with forming a new government.

A source close to Eisenkot said he does not think the current situation demands immediate military action against Iran, according to the Axios report.