Iran says two tankers catch fire after hitting mines in Strait of Hormuz

The vessels, each carrying about two million barrels of crude oil, used an unauthorised route, the IRGC says.Published On 18 Oct 202618 Oct 2026Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said two oil tankers, each carrying about two million barrels of crude oil, caught fire after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.The first tanker hit a mine, triggering an explosion and a “fierce fire”, the IRGC said on Saturday, while the second tanker hit a mine that engulfed it “in a massive blaze”, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iran steps up Hormuz surveillance: Attacks soar, oil flows crash againlist 2 of 3US-Iran stalemate: What are Trump’s next military options?list 3 of 3Trump rules out using a nuclear bomb on Iran: Why that mattersend of listInformation about the ships’ names or the origin of their cargo was not immediately available.IRNA said the vessels had switched off their positioning and radar systems and tried to use a route not authorised by Iran.The IRGC also claimed that while one tanker tried to cross the waterway “with US support”, the second vessel was left immobilised.Iran seized control of the Strait...