Iran Says Four Oil Tankers Ablaze After Striking Mines Near Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says four oil tankers have been destroyed after striking naval mines while attempting to cross a restricted shipping route south of the Strait of Hormuz, in another reported escalation of tensions around the strategic waterway.

In a statement carried by Iranian state media on Wednesday, November 4, the IRGC said the tankers remained on fire following the explosions. It also announced that two other vessels had been seized for allegedly violating Iran’s maritime restrictions.

The Guards did not identify the vessels, disclose their nationalities or provide details about the crews, possible casualties or the circumstances surrounding the reported explosions. The claims have not been independently verified.

The announcement comes amid growing security concerns over commercial shipping in the Gulf, where vessels have faced repeated reports of attacks, fires and other incidents in recent weeks.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors maritime security incidents, has separately reported several security events in the region. Its latest incident updates include a tanker reportedly struck by two unidentified projectiles northeast of Lima, Oman, on November 3, as well as an attack report involving an Indian-crewed dhow transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The agency has advised vessels to exercise caution while investigations continue.

However, the UKMTO reports do not independently confirm the IRGC’s claim that four tankers struck mines and caught fire.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. Around one-fifth of global oil consumption normally passes through the narrow waterway, making disruptions there a major concern for energy markets and international trade.

The latest announcement also comes against the backdrop of heightened confrontation between Iran and the United States over maritime security and restrictions on shipping. Tehran has objected to vessels using the southern passage near the Omani coast, describing it as unauthorised, while Washington has maintained that commercial navigation routes must remain secure.

Iranian state media also reported that the IRGC had shot down a US-made MQ-9 drone over the strait on Wednesday. The Guards claimed it was the 56th such aircraft brought down by Iranian forces, although that claim has also not been independently verified.

The latest developments raise fresh questions about the safety of commercial vessels navigating the waterway and the potential consequences of further disruption to global energy supplies.