Iran says three oil tankers hit mines while exiting Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says the vessels ignored warnings, switched off navigation systems and were abandoned after the explosions.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Iran's state broadcaster, citing the Revolutionary Guard Corps, said three oil tankers struck naval mines and exploded while attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz on an unauthorized route.
What happened
The Iranian navy reported that the tankers turned off their radar and navigation equipment, ignored warnings to use a designated corridor, and proceeded through a restricted area where mines are reportedly laid. The vessels were abandoned off the southern coast of the waterway after the explosions, according to the guard.
What the reports add
- The Winnipeg Free Press article, reproduced from the Associated Press, includes a photo captioned “cargo ships lie at anchor in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, early Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026” (photo by Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP).
- The Independent notes that a British military monitor said a vessel spotted another vessel on fire while transiting the strait, and that the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center said it did not know the status of the crew or the extent of damage to the burning vessel.
- Both outlets report that the Associated Press could not immediately confirm the Iranian claim.
- Both cite Lloyd’s List Intelligence stating that tankers have continued to transport oil through the strait under U.S. military protection despite the recent upsurge in attacks.
What was said
"Iran says three tankers struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz"
— state broadcaster, as reported by the Winnipeg Free Press (Associated Press).
"Iran says three tankers struck mines and exploded while attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz through an unauthorized route"
— state broadcaster, as reported by The Independent.
The Iranian navy reiterated that ships must communicate with authorities and follow prescribed routes, warning that other routes are mined.
How it came about
Earlier this month, Iran said seven oil tankers were damaged or set on fire in the strait, with four targeted and three striking mines, as reported in Felo News’s article seven-oil-tankers-damaged-hormuz. The region has seen a surge in attacks on commercial vessels, with 24 ships hit over two weeks, according to Felo’s coverage on Oct. 14. Tensions have risen following U.S.-Israeli strikes and Iranian warnings that ships must follow its navigation rules.
Key facts
- Iran says three oil tankers struck naval mines while exiting the Strait of Hormuz (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The tankers allegedly turned off radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings (independent.co.uk)
- The vessels were abandoned off the southern coast after the explosions (independent.co.uk)
Timeline
- 2026-10-22 — Iran reported seven oil tankers damaged or set on fire in the Strait of Hormuz
- 2026-10-14 — 24 commercial vessels attacked in the Strait of Hormuz over two weeks
- 2026-10-29 — Iran reports three tankers hit mines while exiting the strait
