IRGC Reports Two Tankers and Tugboat Caught Fire in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated on November 5 that two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in separate incidents after attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz on routes the IRGC described as unauthorized. One tanker struck a mine south of the strait; a second, described as a supertanker, caught fire while exiting an eastern passage; a tugboat that approached the second vessel to assist also ignited.

The claims follow earlier IRGC announcements of additional tanker incidents involving mines in the same area in the preceding days. No vessel names, flag states, crew details or independent verification appeared in the initial reports from Iranian outlets. UK Maritime Trade Operations recorded a separate report of a tanker struck by unidentified projectiles roughly 50 nautical miles north of Qatar.

Since the start of the conflict with the United States and Israel in late February 2026, Iran has restricted commercial traffic through the waterway, which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption. The United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and assisted some Gulf exports. IRGC statements have repeatedly cited mines as the cause of fires on vessels using southern routes rather than the northern passage through Iranian waters.

Export volumes of crude, condensate and fuels from the Middle East declined from a September peak to 17.1 million barrels per day in October, according to data cited by Reuters from Vortexa. The latest incidents add to a pattern of reported mine strikes and fires that have intensified in recent weeks. No confirmation of casualties or environmental impact has been issued by maritime authorities for the November 5 events.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a central point of friction in the ongoing conflict. U.S. Central Command has previously reported facilitating the export of substantial volumes through the waterway since the summer. Iranian statements continue to frame the incidents as consequences of unauthorized navigation rather than deliberate attacks on compliant vessels.

Further details on the specific ships, the extent of damage and any response from the vessels' operators or insurers had not been released as of November 5. The reports coincide with continued U.S. sanctions actions targeting entities linked to Iranian oil sales.