TEHRAN Sept 2, 2026 – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Wednesday that two oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz while attempting to use an unauthorized route.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC Navy said the vessels had disembarked their crews and been handed over to personnel linked to the U.S. military before trying to transit what Tehran calls an “illegal route” in the southern part of the waterway. The tankers “hit mines, exploded and were brought to a halt” and were on fire, the statement said.
The IRGC did not name the ships, their flags, owners, exact location, or whether there were casualties. It said its naval forces had previously warned vessels about the dangers of the mined passage.
The Guards also issued a warning to shipping companies, saying those that use routes other than Iran’s designated northern corridor instead of following IRGC instructions could face “additional punitive measures” or “double punishments.” Recent U.S. military actions would not weaken Iran’s control over the strait, the statement added.
The claim comes amid a months-long confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints. Iran has insisted vessels use only routes it designates along its coast and has repeatedly said southern lanes near Oman are mined. The United States has maintained that internationally recognized shipping lanes have been cleared of mines and that the waterway remains open under U.S. protection.
U.S. Central Command previously reported that American forces had cleared Iranian mines from the main traffic separation scheme using divers, special operations forces, and air assets. President Donald Trump has publicly stated that mines in international waters of the strait have been removed. Iran has dismissed those assertions as propaganda.
Similar IRGC claims of tankers hitting mines appeared in July 2026; U.S. Central Command rejected those as false. Independent confirmation of Wednesday’s incident was not immediately available from maritime authorities such as the UK Maritime Trade Operations center.
The latest announcement follows recent projectile attacks on tankers transiting the area and tit-for-tat military strikes between the United States and Iran. Traffic through the strait remains far below pre-conflict levels, keeping pressure on global oil markets.
Shipping companies now face competing claims about which routes are safe, with Iran asserting that only its approved path avoids mines and the United States arguing the main international lanes are clear. The IRGC framed Wednesday’s incident as proof that vessels ignoring its warnings do so at their own risk.
The two tankers’ identities and current status have not been independently verified. Further details from either Iranian or Western sources are expected as the situation develops.
About The Author
