World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Iran says oil tanker caught fire after hitting a mine in Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said a supertanker caught fire after hitting a mine in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
The Guards said the vessel was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil, but did not state exactly where the incident happened.
They claimed the tanker was trying to cross without permission and had switched off its tracking systems; those claims were not independently confirmed in the accounts available.
Iran has taken control of the strait during the war that began in late February and requires ships to seek its authorisation to pass.
The waterway, between Iran and Oman, normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption, making disruptions there a concern for energy supplies.
Oil prices have risen amid the fighting, with Brent crude briefly reaching $110 a barrel on Friday, its highest level since May.
No next steps were specified for the tanker or the strait.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on October 17 that a supertanker caught fire after striking a mine in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Guards said the tanker was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil and had attempted to cross without authorisation.
They said the vessel had switched off its tracking systems and was trying to cross with U.S. military support.
The Guards did not give the exact location of the incident.
A video of a vessel burning at night was also circulated by the Guards.
- Who
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said a supertanker was involved. The vessel’s name was not stated.
- What
- The Guards said the tanker hit a mine, causing an explosion and a fire.
- When
- Saturday, October 17, 2026.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz. The exact location was not stated.
- Why
- The Guards said the tanker was attempting to cross without authorisation with its tracking systems deactivated. They also said it had U.S. military support.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Guards said they had struck the tanker NV Sunshine, which was carrying liquefied natural gas in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Guards said an oil tanker struck a mine while attempting to use an unauthorised route through the strait.
The Guards said they had struck a third tanker in the strait in two days.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that a container ship and a tanker had come under fire in the strait.
The Guards said a supertanker caught fire after striking a mine in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Date
- October 17, 2026
- Location
- Strait of Hormuz
- Cargo
- More than two million barrels of crude oil
- Claiming force
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guards
- Exact incident location
- Not stated
4 sources
Oil tanker on fire after hitting mine in Hormuz: Iran's Guards
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What people are saying
A supertanker in violation of regulations, carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil and attempting to pass illegally through the Strait of Hormuz, struck a mine, triggering an explosion and a fierce fire
The tanker attempted to cross the strait with U.S. support... by deactivating all its tracking systems