Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Says Four Tankers Hit Mines South of Hormuz Strait

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps claims four oil tankers struck naval mines near the Strait of Hormuz and are still burning. Two more ships were reportedly detained, and a US MQ9 drone was shot down over the waterway.

Four oil tankers have reportedly struck naval mines just south of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Two additional vessels were detained, the Iranian news agency IRNA reported, citing an IRGC statement.

What the IRGC Statement Says

The IRGC’s statement, carried by IRNA, gives a dramatic account of the incident. It reads:

“Four vessels, which were transporting oil and attempting to pass through the forbidden zone in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, struck naval mines and continue to burn… an MQ9 drone was hit and shot down over the Strait of Hormuz.”

The claim has not been independently verified by outside sources. Iran’s military has made similar claims before, some of which the US has disputed in the past.

A Fragile Peace That Fell Apart

Back in mid June, the United States and Iran signed a memorandum meant to kick off a peace process between the two nations. That calm didn’t last long.

Just three weeks later, both sides resumed trading strikes. Since then, both governments have made repeated attempts to calm the situation down, without lasting success.

Shipping Routes Paralyzed, Fuel Prices Climb

The ongoing standoff has brought shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill. This narrow waterway is one of the world’s most important routes for energy exports out of the Persian Gulf region.

As a direct result, fuel prices have risen sharply around the globe. Millions of consumers are feeling the pinch at the pump because of a conflict playing out thousands of miles away.

Tehran’s Plan and Washington’s Response

In late September, Tehran floated a seven day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In exchange, Iran wanted an end to the naval blockade and a lifting of export restrictions.

Donald Trump rejected that proposal outright. On November 1, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the proposed timeline had since been shortened to just two days.

However, Araghchi noted that everything now hinges on how Washington responds. The ball, in other words, is firmly in America’s court.

Will Fighting Resume After the Midterms?

Several media outlets have reported that Trump may be considering a return to military strikes shortly after the US congressional elections. The idea, according to these reports, would be to pressure Tehran back to the negotiating table.

No final decision has reportedly been made yet on this front. For his part, Trump has publicly stated he has no plans to resume strikes against Iran.