Two tankers caught fire after hitting naval mines in the restricted southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday.

"The detonation of mines planted by IRGC naval forces along the illegal route in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz led to a fire on two violating oil tankers," the statement read.

The Iranian military also said that they had shot down an MQ-9 drone of the US army while monitoring the Strait of Hormuz.

On February 28, the United States and Israel began striking targets in Iran, prompting retaliation from Iran. In mid-June, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum aimed at a cessation of hostilities, but shortly afterward, they exchanged strikes again. At present, the conflict remains unresolved.

The escalation of the conflict has virtually halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key supply route for global oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas. As a result, fuel prices have risen in most countries.

@Sputnik