Iran's Revolutionary Guards Say Mines Halted Three Tankers and Set Two Ablaze in Strait of Hormuz

Summary

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that naval mines it had planted halted three oil tankers attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz by routes Tehran considers illegal. The IRGC said two of the violating tankers were set ablaze and halted at an illegal crossing point in the southern part of the strait. A third tanker exploded and caught fire after striking a naval mine south of the strait, according to the Guards' statement carried by state TV. The IRGC said that third tanker was carrying over 2 million barrels of crude oil and had deactivated all of its radar and navigation systems. These claims come from IRGC statements, including one on its Sepah News website and another carried by state TV.

Timeline

1. NDTV

   20 Oct 2026, 10:29 UTCSource ↗

   NDTV reports that Iran's Revolutionary Guards said two oil tankers they called violating were set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz.

2. Middle East Eye

   20 Oct 2026, 18:27 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that the IRGC said its naval mines halted three tankers using routes Tehran considers illegal, with two set ablaze and a third exploding after striking a mine south of the strait.

3. The Straits Times

   20 Oct 2026, 19:39 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that the Guards said three tankers hit mines while crossing the Strait of Hormuz via routes considered illegal by Tehran.