Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that two oil tankers caught fire following separate explosions while attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz through routes Tehran considers unauthorised. In a statement carried by Iranian news agency Tasnim on Tuesday, the IRGC said one of the vessels, described as a supertanker, struck a naval mine, triggering an explosion and subsequent fire.
The second tanker reportedly suffered a separate incident while attempting to transit the strategic waterway under the alleged protection of US military aircraft. The IRGC further claimed that both vessels had switched off their navigation and identification systems before attempting the passage.
According to the statement, the tankers were left immobilised and burning near the southern coast of the strait. Iranian authorities have not disclosed the names, flags or ownership of the vessels. Details concerning their crews, possible casualties and the extent of the damage also remain unknown.
The circumstances surrounding the reported explosions, including the alleged involvement of US military aircraft, have yet to be independently verified. The latest claims come amid a series of similar announcements by Iranian authorities over vessels allegedly attempting to navigate routes not authorised by Tehran.
On 5 November, the IRGC reported that two oil tankers and a tugboat had caught fire in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz. Further claims involving vessels striking naval mines emerged in the days that followed. However, with the identities of the vessels still undisclosed, it remains unclear whether the latest incidents are entirely separate or linked to previously reported events.
The developments come as commercial shipping continues to face restrictions and mounting security risks in the strategic waterway, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and serves as a vital artery for global energy supplies. Earlier this year, Iran established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, introducing a regulatory framework requiring vessels to obtain authorisation before transiting the passage.
Maritime security concerns have intensified since the escalation of the conflict in late February, with commercial vessels increasingly exposed to attacks and navigational hazards. In October, the Singapore-registered container ship GFS Pride sank after being struck by a projectile near the Strait of Hormuz, while another Singapore-registered vessel, GFS Giselle, sustained damage in a separate incident.
The latest allegations have further heightened uncertainty over the safety of commercial shipping through one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors.