World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Iran says at least four tankers caught fire after striking mines near Hormuz
Iran says at least four tankers caught fire after striking mines near the Strait of Hormuz, though an earlier account named three.
Iran said the vessels were using a route it considers unauthorized and had ignored warnings; their identities and the timing of the incidents remain unclear.
A British maritime agency reported a vessel on fire but did not confirm its cause or whether it was among the tankers Iran described.
Iran disputes the U.S. claim that key shipping routes are clear of mines, while the U.S. military says it has cleared primary transit routes.
The strait normally carries about one-fifth of global oil and gas consumption, making safe passage important to energy shipments.
Tankers have continued to travel through the waterway under U.S. military protection, but it is not clear what further action will follow.
Iran’s armed forces said at least four tankers caught fire after striking mines in or near the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC said three tankers hit mines while attempting to use an unauthorised southern route.
Iran’s army separately reported that another tanker caught fire after striking mines east of the strait.
The reports came a day after the U.S. military said it had cleared key routes through the waterway.
It was not immediately clear when the incidents occurred, which flags the tankers were flying or whether there were casualties.
- Who
- Iran’s armed forces, including the IRGC and the army, reported the incidents.
- What
- They said at least four tankers caught fire after striking mines near the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- The reports were made on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The IRGC said three incidents occurred over the previous 24 hours.
- Where
- In the Strait of Hormuz and east of the strait.
- Why
- Iran said the tankers used restricted or unauthorised routes and, according to the IRGC, ignored warnings.
Iran
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
Mine clearance
Iran
Iran said the unauthorised route was mined and challenged CENTCOM to provide independent evidence that mines had been cleared.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
CENTCOM said it had cleared key routes through the waterway.
CENTCOM said it had helped Gulf countries export 1.5 billion barrels of oil via Hormuz since the summer.
The U.S. military said it had cleared key routes through the waterway.
The IRGC reported that three tankers had caught fire after striking mines over the previous 24 hours.
Iran’s army reported that another tanker had caught fire east of the strait after striking naval mines.
- Tankers reported by the IRGC
- 3
- Additional tanker reported by Iran’s army
- 1
- Location of the additional incident
- East of the Strait of Hormuz
- Date of reports
- October 29, 2026
- Routes named by Iran
- Unauthorised southern route and a restricted area east of the strait
3 sources
What people are saying
Prove your Hormuz mine-clearing claim with independent evidence, not statements!