Two oil tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after striking sea mines, according to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRG).
The vessels had reportedly disabled their radar and positioning systems while attempting to transit the strait via an unauthorized route.
In a statement released via Iranian state media, the IRG confirmed that the incident involved a supertanker among the two vessels. The Guard asserted that ships deviating from routes approved by Tehran face the risk of encountering such explosives.
“Recent explodeerden twee olietankers en vatten ze vlam nadat ze op een zeemijn waren gelopen. De schepen hadden hun radar- en positioneringssystemen uitgeschakeld en probeerden in het geheim via een ongeautoriseerde route door de Straat van Hormuz te varen”, the IRG said.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway located between the Persian Gulf to the west and the Gulf of Oman to the east, remains a site of intense geopolitical friction. Geography defines the current standoff, with Iran positioned to the north, while the United Arab Emirates and the Omani exclave of Musandam lie to the south.
According to reporting from the IRGC Public Relations Office, a total of three oil tankers caught fire on November 10 while attempting to sail the strait via paths Tehran deems illegal. IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebi claimed earlier this week that Iranian air defense units have downed at least 260 American aerial vehicles, including F-35, F-16, F-8, and F-5 fighter jets, as well as various drones.
Regarding the regional control of the waterway, “Hải quân IRGC đang kiểm soát 100% eo biển Hormuz”, said Hossein Mohebi. F-35 fighter jets could not assist vessels in bypassing Iranian restrictions.
Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command has repeatedly said that American forces have cleared all underwater explosives from the strait. In Washington of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, Roman Gofman, visited on Friday to discuss the conflict with officials from the Trump administration, amid reports that Israel is pushing for renewed attacks on Iran.
The incident follows a period of conflicting claims regarding the security of the waterway. While the Iranian military has frequently reported vessels striking sea mines in recent weeks, the United States military previously claimed to have cleared the Strait of Hormuz of mines.
Iran and the United States continue to contest control of the important strait, with Tehran insisting that maritime traffic follow routes along its own coast, while the U.S. advocates for a southern route along the coast of Oman.
By comparison, research indicates that 37 ships were struck in the area during October.
