TEHRAN/WASHINGTON – The navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Saturday that a "violating" supertanker attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz via an "unauthorized" route suffered a massive explosion after hitting naval mines.

In a statement published on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News, the navy said the vessel, carrying crude oil with its navigation and GPS systems switched off, caught fire after the blast.

It said the route had been designated high-risk, warning that such a fate awaits any violating oil tanker seeking to "disregard" Iran's regulations.

ALSO READ: IRGC says hit LPG ship seeking to cross Hormuz through ‘illegal’ route

On Friday, the IRGC navy said its forces had hit a "giant" liquefied petroleum gas carrier identified as NV Sunshine as it sought to cross the strait through an "illegal" route south of the waterway.

The vessel's engine room and propulsion system caught fire, it said.

The navy said the US military was responsible for such incidents and rising maritime tensions in the region.

ALSO READ: Trump says US won't attack Iran before midterm elections

It also warned that actions against violating vessels will no longer be limited to the Strait of Hormuz, and any vessel crossing unauthorized routes will be "punished."

Iran tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz 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.

US forces disable cargo vessel in Gulf of Oman

Meanwhile, US forces struck and disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on social media.

A US military fighter jet struck the stern of the Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica with a precision munition, disabling the vessel's propulsion system without harming its crew, CENTCOM said in a statement.

READ MORE: Qatar says talks, message exchanges ongoing to end regional conflict

According to CENTCOM, the vessel had departed an Iranian port and was attempting to transit regional waters. The command said the ship's crew had ignored repeated warnings and attempted to breach the US naval blockade against Iran.