TEHRAN, October 19 2026, An oil tanker exploded after allegedly striking a naval mine south of the Strait of Hormuz early Monday, according to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy.
The navy said the incident triggered a fire in the vessel’s engine room, according to a statement published by its official news outlet, Sepah News.
It alleged that the tanker had switched off its GPS and navigation systems while attempting to exit the strait through an unauthorised route.
The IRGC Navy warned vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters against disabling their navigation and identification systems, threatening serious consequences for violations.
It also claimed that several other oil tankers had exploded after hitting naval mines while attempting to cross the strait over the past week.
The navy further asserted control over the strait’s eastern waters, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, warning ships against entering restricted areas.
Iran tightened restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz on Feb 28, barring safe passage for vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following joint strikes on Iranian territory.
-BERNAMA
