Iran says four tankers exploded in Strait of Hormuz; US denies sea drone claim

Summary

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Friday that four oil tankers caught fire and exploded while attempting to use what it described as unauthorised routes through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media. An IRGC Navy statement said one of the tankers, carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil, had hit a mine. State media also said Iranian forces had downed and captured a US MQM-170 drone over Qeshm Island near the strait, and had destroyed an unmanned US vessel in the eastern strait. US Central Command (CENTCOM) denied the vessel claim in a statement on X, saying that all US military unmanned surface vessels in the Middle East are accounted for. The reports rely on the IRGC's statements and state media, and the US has disputed the sea drone claim.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   30 Oct 2026, 19:15 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that the IRGC said four oil tankers exploded after using unauthorised Hormuz routes, one carrying 2 million barrels of crude hit a mine, and CENTCOM denied Iran's claim that it destroyed a US sea drone.

2. Al Jazeera

   31 Oct 2026, 03:55 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Iran's Revolutionary Guard said four tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after striking mines.