A diplomatic and military disagreement has emerged following an incident involving the Panama-flagged oil tanker El Gaia in the Strait of Hormuz. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has publicly stated that the vessel sustained damage after striking naval mines located within the waterway. However, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has issued a formal rebuttal, disputing the Iranian account of the event.

The discrepancy between the two accounts highlights ongoing tensions regarding maritime security in one of the world's most critical oil transit corridors. While the IRGC maintains that the damage was the result of mine contact, CENTCOM has not provided an alternative cause for the incident, focusing instead on refuting the Iranian narrative. The lack of independent verification or third-party maritime investigation leaves the exact cause of the damage to the El Gaia unconfirmed at this time. The incident has raised concerns among regional observers regarding the potential for miscalculation or escalation in the Strait, where maritime traffic remains heavy and geopolitical friction is high. As of now, both parties remain at odds over the sequence of events, with no immediate resolution or joint investigation announced.