IRGC Reports Oil Tankers Hit Mines in Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that two oil tankers carrying four million barrels of crude oil caught fire after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. The IRGC alleged the vessels deactivated their radar and positioning systems to navigate an unauthorized route, claiming one tanker had U.S. support. IRGC Navy commander Ali Azmaei warned that vessels deactivating navigation systems would be considered hostile.

These strikes follow a week of escalating maritime violence. Two tankers were hit by projectiles and rocket-propelled grenades off the coast of Saudi Arabia on Friday, and six vessels were attacked near the strait last Sunday. Additionally, a tugboat was struck by projectiles near Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates.

The crisis is part of a broader conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel that began in February. While the U.S. has imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian oil, Tehran now demands authorization for vessels transiting the strait. This disruption has caused oil shipments to plummet from 20.8 million barrels on October 8 to 2.9 million on October 11, resulting in spiked global energy prices and charter costs. Despite the tension, President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran remains ready for dialogue.