Two Oil Tankers Hit Mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran Says

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says two oil tankers caught fire after striking sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments.

Mines Reported in Key Shipping Lane

Two oil tankers have struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The report was carried by the Iranian broadcaster Press TV.

Press TV said in a Telegram post that the two vessels caught fire after hitting the mines. The broadcaster stated the ships had broken the rules for crossing the strait by using an unauthorized route.

The IRGC statement read: “Two tankers, which had violated regulations by taking an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz, caught fire after striking naval mines.”

Background on the Israel-US-Iran Conflict

The United States and Israel began striking targets inside Iran on February 28. Iran responded with its own strikes against the two countries.

Fighting has since quieted down, but the conflict has not been formally resolved. Analysts warn there remains a real risk that hostilities could flare up again.

Shipping Through Hormuz Has Nearly Stopped

The standoff between Iran and the United States has brought shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz almost to a halt. The strait is one of the world’s most important routes for moving crude oil, refined fuel, and liquefied natural gas to global markets.

With far fewer tankers willing to risk the passage, fuel prices have climbed in most countries around the world.

This is not the first such incident. Back on September 2, the IRGC reported that two tankers had already struck mines in the same strait, suggesting the waterway has faced repeated disruptions in recent months.