Iran says naval mines hit three tankers in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said naval mines struck three oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. — AFP pic
Summary
- The Iranian Revolutionary Guards reported using naval mines to halt three oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz via routes deemed illegal by Tehran.
- Two tankers were set ablaze and a third exploded after striking the mines, all carrying significant crude oil capacity.
- This move is part of Iran's broader strategy to control the Strait amid tensions that escalated since February, following attacks by the US and Israel, leading to mutual blockades.
- The heightened conflict has seen increased attacks on vessels as Iran and the US vie for control over the strategic passageway that is critical for global oil supplies.
First Published: Wednesday, 21 Oct 2026 9:58 AM MYT
TEHRAN, Oct 21 — Iranian Revolutionary Guards said yesterday that their naval mines halted three tankers attempting to travel the Strait of Hormuz via routes considered illegal by Tehran.
“Two violating oil tankers were set ablaze and halted due to the explosion of mines planted by the brave sailors of the IRGC Navy at an illegal crossing point in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz,” the Guards said in a statement on their official Sepah News website.
The Guards later said in a statement carried by state TV that a third oil tanker “exploded and caught fire after striking a naval mine south of the Strait of Hormuz”.
The statement added that the tanker “carrying over two million barrels of crude oil, had deactivated all of its radar and navigation systems”.
Iranian forces have, since the outbreak of the Middle East war, repeatedly targeted ships attempting to pass through Hormuz via a southern route close to the Omani coast.
The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, killing the country’s supreme leader, along with senior military commanders.
Iran has attempted to blockade the strategic waterway, demanding all ships seek its authorisation to cross. In peacetime, the Hormuz strait carried around a fifth of the world’s oil supplies.
In retaliation, the United States has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports and ships.
Yesterday, Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces said the country is using cheap weapons to attack expensive US equipment.
“Should the enemy commit any further errors, we will neutralise the impact of their expensive, advanced equipment using a wide array of low-cost yet effective equipment.”
Attacks on vessels attempting to cross the waterway have increased in recent days, as Washington seeks to escort more ships through the strait while Tehran seeks to maintain control over their passage.
The Guards have in recent days said several tankers were hit by mines in the strategic waterway. — AFP
The statement added that the tanker “carrying over two million barrels of crude oil, had deactivated all of its radar and navigation systems”.
Iranian forces have, since the outbreak of the Middle East war, repeatedly targeted ships attempting to pass through Hormuz via a southern route close to the Omani coast.
The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, killing the country’s supreme leader, along with senior military commanders.
Iran has attempted to blockade the strategic waterway, demanding all ships seek its authorisation to cross. In peacetime, the Hormuz strait carried around a fifth of the world’s oil supplies.
In retaliation, the United States has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports and ships.
Yesterday, Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces said the country is using cheap weapons to attack expensive US equipment.
“Should the enemy commit any further errors, we will neutralise the impact of their expensive, advanced equipment using a wide array of low-cost yet effective equipment.”
Attacks on vessels attempting to cross the waterway have increased in recent days, as Washington seeks to escort more ships through the strait while Tehran seeks to maintain control over their passage.
The Guards have in recent days said several tankers were hit by mines in the strategic waterway. — AFP
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