Iran says oil supertanker hit mine in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has reported that an oil supertanker struck a naval mine while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, triggering an explosion in its engine room and raising fresh concerns over the safety of one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the IRGC Navy said the tanker was capable of carrying around two million barrels of oil and had attempted to transit the strategic waterway with its navigation system switched off.

The Iranian military said the vessel was the third ship to strike naval mines along what it described as a prohibited route through the strait since Saturday.

However, the statement did not identify the tanker, disclose its flag or nationality, or provide details about possible casualties, damage or the extent of any oil spill. The reported incident could not be independently verified from the available information.

The IRGC Navy renewed its warning that vessels switching off their navigation systems while passing through the waterway would be considered “hostile vessels”, signalling Tehran’s determination to enforce its restrictions on maritime traffic.

The reported explosion comes amid an escalating confrontation between Iran and the United States over control of the Strait of Hormuz, with competing claims about whether commercial shipping can safely navigate the passage.

Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of tensions

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is a critical corridor for international energy markets, carrying substantial volumes of crude oil and other petroleum products from Gulf producers to global destinations.

Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the narrow passage could affect oil supplies, increase transportation costs and intensify volatility in global energy markets.

Iran announced on July 12 that it had again closed the strait following the resumption of US attacks on July 8, according to the report.

Tehran has threatened to target vessels using routes other than those designated by Iranian authorities or attempting to cross the waterway without permission.

The latest statement also contrasts with an announcement by US Central Command (CENTCOM) in late August that international shipping lanes had been reopened following the removal of Iranian naval mines by American forces.

The conflicting accounts have left uncertainty over the operational status of the waterway and the conditions under which commercial vessels can safely pass through it.

Iran accuses US commander of oil-smuggling operations

Separately, a senior Iranian security official has accused the head of CENTCOM of directing alleged oil-smuggling operations through the Strait of Hormuz with assistance from the United Arab Emirates military.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, made the allegations during an interview with Iranian state-run Press TV over the weekend.

Rezaei claimed that US Admiral Brad Cooper was overseeing the operations, in which five or six small boats allegedly transferred oil to larger tankers.

He further alleged that Iranian forces had been striking five or six vessels associated with these operations every night over the previous two or three months.

No evidence independently substantiating these allegations was provided in the report. There was no immediate response from Washington or Abu Dhabi.

Rezaei also rejected US President Donald Trump’s assertion that the strait was open, insisting that Tehran retained control over maritime movements.

He said Iran intended to continue managing the waterway in the name of regional peace and security and would not retreat from its position.

The Iranian official added that shipping traffic remained significantly below prewar levels, accusing Washington and its regional partners of using smuggling networks to transport oil through the strait.

Threats to regional technology infrastructure

Rezaei also warned that Iran could expand its potential targets to include US-linked technology infrastructure across the region if Washington launched another attack.

He specifically mentioned undersea cables, data centres, artificial intelligence facilities and other technology-related installations, claiming their combined value exceeded $2 trillion.

“We have not yet included these assets among our targets,” he said, according to the report, warning that such infrastructure could be destroyed if hostilities resumed.

The remarks suggest that a renewed conflict could extend beyond conventional military targets and energy facilities to infrastructure supporting regional communications and digital services.

Rezaei also said Iran was prepared to introduce additional military capabilities if fighting resumed, without specifying what those capabilities might involve.

Diplomatic efforts remain stalled

The current confrontation follows months of military escalation between Iran, the United States and Israel. The report said Washington and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to respond with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively close the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States subsequently imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding in June concerning freedom of navigation through the strait, but implementation stalled over disagreements about security arrangements.

The reported tanker incident highlights the risks facing commercial shipping as both sides maintain competing positions over access to the waterway.

For energy markets and shipping companies, the immediate concerns include the possibility of further vessel damage, restrictions on transit and higher insurance costs for ships operating in the region.

Until the reported incident and the status of the designated shipping routes are independently clarified, uncertainty is likely to persist over the safety of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

With diplomatic efforts stalled and both sides issuing warnings, the strategic waterway remains a potential flashpoint in the wider confrontation between Tehran and Washington.