Evidence

Multiple independent outlets (Ynetnews, Arab News, The Jerusalem Post, Iran's Mehr News Agency, Xinhua, and others citing IRIB/Fars) reported that Iran's IRGC Navy stated on Sept. 14-15 that the Panama-flagged supertanker 'El Gaia' struck naval mines while attempting to cross a 'forbidden' route south of the Strait of Hormuz, causing an explosion and fire. However, Arab News and other outlets report that the U.S. military (CENTCOM) disputed this account, stating the vessel was actually struck by an Iranian missile roughly a month earlier and had already been rendered inoperable at that time — a materially different account of both the cause and timing of the damage. No dedicated fact-check from Reuters Fact Check, AFP Fact Check, Bellingcat, or EUvsDisinfo specifically adjudicating this incident was found in this search session.