Iran Reports Five Tankers Hit by Naval Mines in Strait of Hormuz
Iranian military authorities have reported that five oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, alongside a tugboat that also caught fire during a firefighting operation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian army announced the incidents in separate statements on Thursday, according to local media, drawing attention to maritime security and commercial shipping operations in the strategically important waterway.
The reports come amid the ongoing Iran war, which began in late February and has significantly restricted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The passage normally carries approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption, making it a critical route for international oil transportation, energy trade and global shipping.
According to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, a large oil tanker attempting to pass through a route south of the Strait of Hormuz caught fire after striking a mine on Wednesday night. The vessel was subsequently brought to a halt. The Guards also reported that another supertanker caught fire while exiting the eastern part of the strait. A tugboat approaching the vessel to assist with firefighting operations also caught fire.
The Iranian army subsequently reported three additional tanker incidents. According to a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency, an oil tanker navigating through an area east of the Strait of Hormuz struck a naval mine early Thursday morning and caught fire. In a separate statement, the army said two more oil tankers struck naval mines and caught fire in the same eastern waters around midday.
Read: Tanker Attack in Strait of Hormuz Raises Maritime Security Concerns
The reported incidents account for five oil tankers and one tugboat. However, maritime officials have not independently confirmed the reported mine strikes or provided details about the extent of the damage and possible casualties.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker had been struck by two unidentified projectiles approximately 90 kilometres (50 nautical miles) off Qatar’s northern coast. The organisation did not provide further information about the vessel’s damage or casualties. The reported incident occurred in the central Gulf, approximately 500 kilometres west of the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Fars news agency reported that the IRGC Navy’s electronic warfare unit had taken control of two LUCAS drones, a US-developed unmanned system whose name stands for Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System.
Strategic Importance for Global Shipping and Energy Trade
The Strait of Hormuz remains a central corridor for international energy transportation, connecting major oil-producing countries with global markets. The reported incidents underline the importance of maritime security arrangements, reliable navigation information and operational coordination for commercial tanker movements.
For the international shipping industry, developments in the waterway remain relevant to tanker operations, maritime risk management, shipping insurance and energy logistics. Maintaining safe and predictable commercial navigation through this corridor is important for regional trade and the continuity of global oil transportation.
Read:Strait of Hormuz Attacks: Two Singapore Ships Hit, One Sinks
