IRGC Reports Two Tankers and Tugboat Caught Fire in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire after attempting unauthorized routes through the Strait of Hormuz. One tanker struck a mine.
Strait of Hormuz2 min read
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Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on November 5, 2026, that two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in separate incidents after attempting to use unauthorized routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC described one large tanker as striking a mine while trying to cross a passage south of the strait. A second supertanker caught fire while exiting an eastern route. A tugboat that approached the second vessel to extinguish the blaze also caught fire.
The statement appeared in Iranian state media and was reported by Reuters. Independent verification of the specific vessels and the precise sequence of events was not immediately available from commercial tracking or Western maritime authorities. The IRGC has issued similar claims in recent weeks about tankers striking mines or catching fire on routes it labels prohibited.
The Strait of Hormuz normally carries roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption. Since the escalation of the broader conflict involving Iran earlier in 2026, Tehran has restricted traffic and pressed vessels toward a northern passage through its waters rather than the southern lane designated by Oman. The United States has imposed measures against Iranian ports and assisted some tankers in transit. Multiple incidents involving commercial shipping have been logged by the UK Maritime Trade Operations center in recent months.
Earlier IRGC statements referenced four tankers ablaze after hitting mines near the strait and additional vessels seized. One account indicated that 11 tankers had caught fire in the waterway over a nine-day period ending in early November. Some reports mentioned electronic warfare units of the IRGC Navy taking control of two US LUCAS drones and landing them intact, though those claims also lacked independent confirmation.
UKMTO has recorded incidents of projectiles striking tankers in the broader Gulf region, including one approximately 26 kilometers off the coast of Oman. No casualties or significant pollution were reported in several of those cases. Commercial operators have adjusted routes and insurance premiums in response to the elevated risk.
The latest incidents add to a pattern of disruption in a chokepoint that affects global energy markets. Oil prices have fluctuated with reports of attacks or mine encounters. Shipping companies face decisions on whether to use the northern route, accept higher costs for southern transit, or delay voyages. The IRGC has warned that encounters with vessels using unauthorized passages will not be limited to the strait itself.
No official response from the United States or Oman had been issued by midday on November 5 regarding the specific fires. Maritime authorities continue to monitor AIS signals and reports from vessels in the area. The cumulative effect of repeated incidents has reduced traffic volumes compared with pre-conflict levels.
