Three oil tankers catch fire following mine strikes in the Strait of Hormuz

Three oil tankers have caught fire following strikes by sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to officials. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced on Friday evening that two tankers caught fire in the southern part of the waterway after hitting sea mines. One of the affected vessels is a supertanker. A third oil tanker caught fire and was forced to stop in the eastern Strait of Hormuz after hitting a sea mine while its GPS was turned off. Iranian officials stated that the two tankers in the south attempted to transit through an unauthorized lane with their radar and GPS systems turned off.

Maritime Security and Military Activity

The IRGC Navy issued a warning to ships against violating Iranian laws while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This region remains a critical artery for global energy, and the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, which began on 28 February 2026, has caused disruptions to oil and gas exports across the Middle East. While the IRGC Navy reported the strikes, the US military has stated it has cleared the majority of mines from the waterway. Additionally, the US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and is providing military support to vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

In a separate incident, the Iranian Army's Public Relations announced the destruction of a US MQ-1 drone in the Kohhestak area on the coast of Sirik. Regarding the tanker fires, one media outlet reported footage showing a thick column of smoke rising from a liquefied gas carrier following a mine strike.

Regional Tensions and Political Statements

The maritime incidents come amid heightened political rhetoric. Mohsen Rezaee, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated on Thursday that the IRGC is prepared for "new surprises" in a potential confrontation with the US and Israel. Meanwhile, the Iranian Leadership Experts Council called on Thursday for a review of the country's defense doctrine and a potential withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

In the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday that economic pressure on Iran currently makes military action unnecessary. This tension follows long-standing international concerns regarding Iranian nuclear activities, including recent concerns from the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding an Iranian uranium enrichment facility in Isfahan that inspectors have not yet been allowed to enter.

Glossary

• Strait of Hormuz — The Strait of Hormuz is a waterway and a critical artery for global energy. It is a region where maritime incidents and conflicts can cause disruptions to oil and gas exports.
• MQ-1 drone — The MQ-1 drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle. It was recently destroyed by the Iranian Army's Public Relations.
• Sirik — Sirik is a location on the coast. It was the site where a US MQ-1 drone was destroyed.
• Supreme National Security Council — The Supreme National Security Council is an Iranian government body. Its secretary has made statements regarding the IRGC's readiness for confrontation.
• Non-Proliferation Treaty — The Non-Proliferation Treaty is an international agreement. The Iranian Leadership Experts Council has called for a review of the country's defense doctrine and a potential withdrawal from this treaty.