The IRGC navy accused the tanker of having turned off its positioning and radar systems in an effort to evade detection.
A super tanker has caught fire after striking a sea mine in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday.
In a statement shared via Iranian state media, the IRGC’s navy said a tanker carrying more than two million barrels of oil struck a mine whilst “attempting to pass through an unauthorised route” in the Strait, causing a “massive explosion” and a “fierce fire.” It is unclear exactly where the incident took place.
They’re using smaller tankers that load up with oil in the gulf, traverse the strait, then transfer ship to ship to tankers in the Indian ocean. Most of the smaller tankers are owned by the Gulf states and are insured by them too.
It’s odd that a supertanker was trying to go through the strait. Of course right now it’s just a claim by the IRGC, so best to wait for confirmation from a reputable source. It’s seems likely it was a smaller tanker (which do get hit from time to time, just doesn’t make the news) and the IRGC is exaggerating.
I read these this morning, and there is a new one here I didn’t see:
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-guards-say-two-tankers-hit-mines-strait-hormuz-2026-10-17/
‘State media said both tankers were carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil. There was no independent confirmation of the reports.’ As you say.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/supertanker-rates-fall-record-highs-2026-10-16/
The Houthis have been hitting all sorts of Saudi infrastructure too, ports, oil stuff.