The key facts

  • Iran's IRGC reported that two tankers hit mines and caught fire south of the Strait of Hormuz
  • According to the Iranian military, the vessels were traveling along an 'unauthorized route' with their AIS systems disabled
  • Iran warned shipping companies of the need to coordinate with the maritime traffic control center

Tankers Hit Mines Near the Strait of Hormuz

Two oil tankers struck naval mines and caught fire south of the Strait of Hormuz, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported overnight into Sunday. According to a statement by the Iranian Navy, the explosions caused major fires aboard both vessels.

What the Iranian Military Said

The IRGC statement claims that the tankers attempted to pass through the strait undetected along an 'unauthorized route,' with their navigation systems and automatic identification system (AIS) switched off. The agency did not name the vessels and gave no information about possible casualties. Earlier, on Friday, the same body had already reported two tankers hitting mines in the southern part of the strait and warned shipping companies of the need to coordinate their passage with the IRGC's maritime traffic control center.

Context of Tensions

The incidents come against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a key artery of global energy supplies. The question of navigation through the strait remains one of the central issues in negotiations between Washington and Tehran. According to the report, the war began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28; a ceasefire was reached in April, but hostilities resumed after the talks stalled, despite the signing of a memorandum of understanding in June. The IRGC statement remains the only account of what happened: no independent confirmation or reaction from other parties is available in the accessible materials.