In brief
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said two oil tankers, one a supertanker, exploded after striking mines on Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz. The navy claimed the ships were sailing ‘unauthorised’ routes and had shut down navigation and identification systems. The incident follows Iran’s crackdown on the strait after joint Israeli‑U.S. strikes on Iranian territory earlier this month.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said two oil tankers, one a supertanker, exploded after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
The navy reported the vessels were on an ‘unauthorised’ route and had turned off their navigation and identification systems before the blasts.
Both ships were stopped by the explosions, with the supertanker described as ‘suffering a massive explosion and is burning.’
The incident comes after Tehran tightened control of the strait on Feb. 28, blocking passage for ships linked to Israel and the U.S. following their set‑back strikes on Iranian territory.
These moves heighten tensions for ships passing through the Hormuz, a key chokepoint that handles about 20% of global oil traffic.
The IRGC’s claim shows Iran’s readiness to respond to perceived threats and signals its willingness to use naval mines to protect its interests, while international shipping faces new risks.
Iran’s September 30 joint Israeli‑U.S. strikes targeted facilities in the country, prompting Tehran to warn against foreign vessels and to defend its maritime domain.
Global shipping companies now warn that any disruption in the Hormuz could push oil prices higher and stress supply chains in energy‑dependent regions.
If more vessels encounter mines, the risk of fires or floating debris increases, which could damage shipping lanes and trigger environmental concerns.
Iranian officials have not released details about the mines’ exact location, leaving other navies uncertain about safe navigation routes.
