The key facts

  • On November 8, a tanker struck a mine in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz — according to the Iranian army
  • On November 6, two tankers struck mines; according to the IRGC, one in the eastern part of the strait and the other in the center
  • Iran demands compliance with its own passage rules and uses mines against violating vessels

Another explosion in the Strait of Hormuz

An oil tanker struck a mine in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian army reported this, as relayed by the Fars news agency; the incident was covered by Gazeta.Ru. The statement claims that the 'violating' tanker had switched off its navigation systems and attempted to pass through a restricted zone, after which the explosion occurred.

Third incident in a matter of days

This is no longer an isolated episode: on November 6 two tankers struck mines and caught firewhile attempting to pass through the strait in violation of the rules established by Iran. According to the IRGC, one of them was in the eastern part of the strait and the other in the center. Thus, at least three vessels have been recorded as striking mines in two days.

Context of the confrontation

Iran and the United States are engaged in a bitter confrontation over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz: Tehran has established its own rules for tanker passage and uses mines against violating vessels, while the United States, in response, applies direct military control measures in the Middle East waters, including the Gulf of Oman, in order to deprive Iran of the ability to export crude oil. Earlier, the IRGC also stated that the US plans to destroy the Iranian economy — this assessment belongs to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and has not been confirmed by independent sources in the available publications.