Iran says seven vessels hit in Strait of Hormuz incidents

Summary

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said its forces targeted four vessels involved in illegal oil transfers in the northern Persian Gulf on Wednesday, and that the four caught fire, while three other vessels collided with mines west of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's state television later reported that seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged overnight on Thursday, October 22, 2026, after being targeted or striking naval mines in the Strait. The IRGC Navy said it continues to manage and control the Strait and blamed US insistence that ships pass through the illegally mined passage for rising maritime incidents, warning that the scope of the confrontation could be extended to US bases in the region if the trend continues. The figures come from Iranian sources, and the reports describe fears of a return to all-out war.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   22 Oct 2026, 05:08 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Iran's IRGC Navy said four vessels involved in illegal oil transfers in the northern Persian Gulf were targeted on Wednesday and caught fire, and that three other vessels collided with mines west of the Strait of Hormuz.

2. The Hindu

   22 Oct 2026, 07:13 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that Iran's state television said seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged overnight on Thursday, October 22, 2026, after being targeted or striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

3. Hindustan Times

   22 Oct 2026, 08:23 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that Iran claimed it struck four oil ships in the Persian Gulf and that three others hit mines in the Strait of Hormuz, amid heightened tensions over maritime movement through the waterway.

4. The Globe and Mail

   22 Oct 2026, 09:30 UTCSource ↗

   The Globe and Mail reports that seven oil tankers were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz as fears of all-out war return, and that Iran threatens to strike US military bases in the region if the US keeps helping guide commercial ships through the strait.

5. CBC

   22 Oct 2026, 12:50 UTCSource ↗

   CBC reports that Tehran said seven ships were struck in the Strait of Hormuz overnight after being hit by Iran or striking naval mines, a markedly high number as tensions rise over concerns about a return to all-out war.