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Iran Says Two Tankers Hit Mines in Strait of Hormuz; No Independent Confirmation
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said two oil tankers carrying about 2 million barrels of crude each caught fire after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz; Reuters notes there is no independent confirmation.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil shipping chokepoint. Iran's claim of two tankers hitting mines comes as attacks around the waterway have surged over the past two weeks, disrupting crude shipments and pushing up global energy prices and inflation pressure.
Full report
Iran's official news agency IRNA reported that the Revolutionary Guards Navy said on Saturday, Oct 17, that two oil tankers had caught fire after hitting naval mines while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, each carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil.
Iran said the vessels had switched off their positioning and radar systems and attempted to use a route through the strait not authorized by Iran; the second vessel was left immobilized after striking a mine. Reuters explicitly notes there was no independent confirmation of the reports.
Background: maritime officials said on Wednesday that a container ship and a dry bulk carrier sank near the strait after being hit by projectiles in separate incidents. Attacks around the waterway have surged over the past two weeks, with Iran saying it is stepping up strikes in response to the US blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions imposed last month.
Editor's note: this is a unilateral Iranian claim with no independent confirmation; further developments are pending verification.
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