An oil tanker reportedly exploded in the Strait of Hormuz on 26 July after striking a sea mine, according to multiple Iranian state and semi-official media outlets, which claimed the vessel had deviated from a navigation route designated by Tehran.
According to international news sources, Iranian reports did not identify the tanker, its flag or ownership, and provided no information on casualties or the extent of the damage. Iranian authorities said they had repeatedly warned vessels to use only approved transit routes through the strategic waterway, arguing that ships leaving the designated corridor would bear the consequences.
Senior Iranian officials have maintained that Tehran has the right to regulate navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that conditions in the waterway will not return to pre-conflict arrangements.
Separately, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it intercepted at least six vessels in the past 24 hours after they attempted what it described as “unauthorized” crossings, firing warning shots before forcing the ships to turn back.
The IRGC also said it had stopped another four vessels the previous day. These claims have not been independently verified.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States following recent military exchanges and renewed disputes over navigation rules in the Strait of Hormuz.