Iran Reports Four Oil Tankers Hit Mines in Strait of Hormuz, Including Burning Supertanker Carrying Over 2 Million Barrels

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy reported on Friday that four oil tankers struck naval mines in and around the Strait of Hormuz within a 24-hour period, the most serious escalation yet in the waterway that handles roughly a fifth of global oil supply. Footage released by Iran's state-run Fars News Agency showed at least two large vessels on fire, with thick black smoke visible. The IRGC said the ships were traveling on what Tehran designates as unauthorized southern routes promoted by the United States but considered illegal by Iran.

The third and most severe incident involved a supertanker that exploded after hitting a mine inside the strait. Iran's IRGC confirmed via Sepahnews that the vessel, carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil, was abandoned and left burning at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz. In a separate incident, the IRGC Navy said a small boat attached limpet mines to another tanker, causing a fire that was subsequently extinguished. Two additional tankers that had switched off their navigation systems were stopped south of the strait after ignoring radio warnings.

Iran disputed U.S. claims that key shipping lanes in the region had been cleared, and the events drew attention to deepening risks in one of the world's most critical oil chokepoints. Oil spills connected to earlier tanker incidents were already washing ashore on UAE beaches, including in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain. Chevron CEO Mike Wirth addressed the impact of the conflict on shipping costs in an exclusive interview with CNBC, with his remarks described as moving the company's stock.