Iran claims two oil tankers ignited after striking mines in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Saturday that two oil tankers, each loaded with roughly two million barrels of crude, caught fire after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the IRGC, the first vessel struck a mine, causing an explosion and a fierce fire, while the second was hit by a mine that set it ablaze in a massive blaze, the state news agency IRNA reported.
Details about the ships’ names or the origin of their cargo have not been released. IRNA added that the tankers had turned off their positioning and radar systems and attempted to follow a route that Iran has not authorised. The IRGC further claimed that one of the vessels tried to cross the waterway with U.S. support, whereas the other was left immobilised.
Iran took control of the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S.-Israeli war on the country began in late February, and Tehran now requires all ships to obtain permission before transiting the passage, which previously handled about one‑fifth of the world’s oil consumption. This week, IRGC naval commander Rear Admiral Ali Azmaei warned that any vessel that deactivates its navigation equipment would be deemed hostile.
The United States has responded with its own naval counter‑blockade targeting Iranian oil exports. Iran’s army earlier said two tankers caught fire on Thursday and Friday in what it called Tehran’s “prohibited zone” in the Gulf of Oman, and maritime monitors reported two additional tankers struck in Gulf waters off Saudi Arabia on Friday.
Security firm Vanguard, the International Maritime Organization and the U.K. maritime agency UKMTO recorded six vessel attacks in or near the Strait last Sunday, the highest number in a single day since the conflict began. Attacks in the area have risen sharply over the past two weeks, with Iran saying it is increasing strikes in retaliation for the U.S. blockade of its ports and newly imposed sanctions.
Data from energy analytics firm Kpler showed that 20.8 million barrels of oil passed through the strait on October 8, but the flow dropped to just 2.9 million barrels by October 11. The disruption has contributed to higher global energy prices and added pressure on inflation.
U.S. President Donald Trump explicitly ruled out the use of a nuclear weapon against Iran, telling the Newsmax website, “I wouldn’t use nuclear.” He also said he is not considering deploying ground troops, adding, “No, I don’t see that, I don’t see it,” and expressed confidence that a peace deal will be reached after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections.