Two oil tankers were reportedly left burning in the Strait of Hormuz after explosions that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claims were caused by naval mines. In a statement carried by Iranian media, the IRGC said the vessels attempted to navigate through routes Tehran considers unauthorized, triggering explosions that engulfed the ships in flames. Iran’s Fars News Agency also released footage it claims shows the tankers exploding after striking the mines, although the videos have not independently established the cause of the incidents. The IRGC described the vessels as “offending” tankers that had taken an “illegal route” through the strategic waterway. Iranian officials further alleged that the ships had violated navigation restrictions, warning that other vessels could face similar consequences if they ignored Tehran’s instructions. The reports did not independently confirm the tankers’ identities, flags, operators or the condition of their crews.

The reported incidents come amid heightened tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime corridors for international oil and gas shipments. Iran has increasingly sought to enforce restrictions on commercial vessels using the waterway, while the United States continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports and challenges Tehran’s efforts to control maritime traffic. The IRGC has warned ships against cooperating with American forces or attempting to cross routes it has designated as restricted, raising concerns among shipping operators about the risks of navigating the area. Reuters reported that multiple tankers have caught fire in recent days, while maritime incidents and attacks have continued despite diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions. Any confirmed damage to oil tankers or the presence of sea mines could further threaten commercial shipping, energy supplies and global oil markets. Independent confirmation of the latest explosions, including the cause of the fires and the status of the crews, remains essential as conflicting claims emerge from the region.