Oil tanker explodes after hitting mine in Strait of Hormuz; Iran says it intercepted six vessels
Iranian state media reported that an oil tanker detonated after striking a sea mine in the Strait of Hormuz and that the Revolutionary Guard forced six ships to turn back after they attempted an unauthorized crossing.
An oil tanker detonated in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday after striking a sea mine, according to Iran’s military-linked state media. The vessel, which was not identified, is said to have deviated from the route approved by Tehran before the explosion, Tasnim news agency reported.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it intercepted at least six ships in the past 24 hours, forcing them to reverse course after they attempted an “unauthorized crossing” and firing warning shots. The IRGC also claimed to have stopped four additional vessels on Saturday.
Iran has repeatedly warned that ships using routes not sanctioned by the government could be attacked, a stance it maintains amid ongoing tensions with the United States over the strategic waterway. Traffic through the strait, which carries about 20% of global oil supplies, has fallen sharply since a cease-fire breakdown earlier this month, with only a few dozen vessels crossing daily.
The incident follows heightened concerns about oil supplies after attacks on Saudi-linked tankers in the Red Sea, which have been attributed to Iran-backed Houthi forces. The United States has paused recent retaliatory strikes, emphasizing diplomatic efforts while keeping military options available.