An oil tanker caught fire after hitting a mine in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The incident occurred amid an ongoing regional conflict that has disrupted shipping through the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz oil tanker fire raises further concerns about maritime security and global energy supplies.
In a statement on Saturday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the vessel was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil. They claimed the tanker attempted to cross the strait illegally and struck a mine, causing an explosion and a major fire. However, the statement did not identify the exact location of the incident.
The Guards also alleged that the tanker attempted to pass through the waterway with US support while its tracking systems were switched off. They released a video showing a vessel burning at night. The available statement did not independently establish the vessel’s identity or confirm the full circumstances of the reported incident.
The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran to the north and Oman to the south. At its narrowest point, the waterway measures about 30 kilometres across. It normally carries around one-fifth of global oil consumption, making it one of the world’s most important routes for energy shipments.
Iran tightened its control over the strait after the war began in late February 2026, according to the report. Tehran has required vessels to obtain authorisation before passing through the waterway. These restrictions have disrupted shipping and increased concerns about the movement of crude oil and other energy supplies.
Washington has responded to Iran’s restrictions by imposing a naval counter-blockade on Iranian oil exports. The competing measures have added to tensions surrounding maritime trade in the region. Any further disruption to shipping through Hormuz could affect international energy markets because of the strait’s importance to global oil transportation.
Earlier this week, Iran’s naval commander, Admiral Ali Ozmai, warned that vessels switching off their navigation systems would be considered hostile. The latest reported tanker fire adds to concerns about safety in the waterway. Further details about the incident, including the vessel’s identity and the extent of the damage, were not provided in the Guards’ statement.
