Three oil tankers explode on mines in the Strait of Hormuz

On 14 November 2026, a series of incidents involving the commercial fleet occurred in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian state media, three oil tankers hit sea mines. This was reported by representatives of the Iranian Navy, as cited by Reuters.

Timeline of events

The first vessel hit a mine on the morning of 14 November in the eastern part of the strait. Two other tankers suffered a similar fate later that same day. All three vessels exploded and caught fire.

Official position of Tehran

The Iranian news agency IRNA, citing the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, provided an explanation for the cause of the incident. According to the military, two of the damaged tankers violated navigation rules.

«Два танкери-порушники [...] намагалися непомітно пройти забороненим маршрутом в Ормузькій протоці, коли натрапили на морські міни, вибухнули та загорілися» (Two violating tankers [...] attempted to sneak through a prohibited route in the Strait of Hormuz when they hit sea mines, exploded and caught fire), the statement from the Iranian military, quoted by the agency, reads.