Iran's IRGC says four tankers were destroyed by mines in the Strait of Hormuz

Summary

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says four oil tankers were destroyed or set ablaze after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the IRGC, the ships tried to cross a southern route it considers prohibited, without permission from Tehran, and had switched off their geolocation tracking. The IRGC also said its forces intercepted two other vessels. Middle East Eye first reported three tankers exploded and later reported four, while the BBC and France 24 both report four. France 24 adds that the claim came a day after US President Donald Trump said the United States had launched strikes on Iran, and that mediated talks to end the war between Washington and Tehran have continued with little sign of a breakthrough. No casualties had been reported yet. All accounts rely on the IRGC's statement, and the articles give no independent confirmation.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   3 Nov 2026, 11:10 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that the IRGC claimed three tankers exploded after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz after trying to cross without Tehran's permission, with their geolocation tracking switched off, and that no casualties had been reported yet.

2. Middle East Eye

   4 Nov 2026, 06:20 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that the IRGC said four 'rogue' oil tankers were destroyed after hitting naval mines on a prohibited route in the Strait of Hormuz, and that IRGC forces also intercepted two other vessels.

3. France 24

   4 Nov 2026, 08:43 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Tehran says four oil tankers caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a day after US President Donald Trump said the United States had launched strikes on Iran.

4. BBC

   4 Nov 2026, 09:40 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that Iran's IRGC says four tankers were destroyed by sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz after they tried to cross a prohibited route.