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Oil Tanker Explodes After Hitting Sea Mine in Strait of Hormuz — AI-generated representative image: A large oil tanker burns at sea, illustrating a reported tanker fire in the Strait of Hormuz.

Editorial Team

IRGC Navy reports a supertanker carrying over two million barrels of oil caught fire at the strategic waterway's entrance after striking a mine on an unauthorized route.

A third oil tanker exploded and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday after striking a sea mine while navigating an unauthorized route, according to a statement from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy.

The supertanker was carrying more than two million barrels of oil and was left burning at the entrance to the strategic waterway, the IRGC Navy said.

The incident escalates an already tense situation in one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes. The IRGC Navy has blamed the United States military and the tankers' crews for the incidents, citing disregard for Iranian navigation regulations.

The developments raise fresh concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the region and the potential for further disruption to global energy supply routes.

Sequence of Friday's Incidents

Earlier on Friday, the IRGC Navy reported that two other oil tankers had encountered incidents and were stopped in the southern waters of the strait. One vessel was located in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz, while the other was in the western part.

According to the IRGC Navy, those two vessels had switched off their navigation and positioning systems and, with the support of the US military, attempted to pass through unauthorized routes.

The IRGC Navy said the tankers ignored repeated radio warnings, entered unsafe areas and subsequently encountered incidents, with fires reported aboard both vessels.

Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway separating Iran from the Arabian Peninsula and serves as a vital transit point for global energy supplies. A substantial portion of the world's seaborne oil passes through the strait, making any disruption there a matter of international economic concern.

Iran has long asserted authority over navigation through the strait and has repeatedly warned vessels against deviating from authorized routes. Tensions in the area have periodically flared in connection with broader disputes between Iran and the United States over maritime security and regional influence.

IRGC Navy's Official Account

The IRGC Navy attributed the incidents to what it described as hostile actions by the US military and the tankers' disregard for Iranian regulations governing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Navy said the supertanker struck a sea mine while navigating an unauthorized route through the strategic waterway. The announcement did not specify the vessel's name, flag, or the fate of its crew.

Current Status and Next Steps

The supertanker remained burning at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz as of the IRGC Navy's latest statement. The two other tankers were reported stopped in the southern waters of the strait.

No independent confirmation of the incidents or the condition of the vessels and their crews has yet been made available. Further official updates are awaited.