Oil tankers targeted in renewed attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Iranian military authorities have reported that four oil tankers were hit by explosions in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and Thursday, accusing the vessels of ignoring warnings and using prohibited maritime routes. Meanwhile, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed that another ship was struck by an unidentified projectile, sparking a fire in its engine room near the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, in a development highlighting persistent threats to regional shipping despite improved transit and hopes for de-escalation between Washington and Tehran.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy stated that two supertankers were disabled by large explosions on Wednesday after allegedly ignoring warnings about using what it called an "unauthorized route" in the Strait of Hormuz. Later, Iranian state media reported that the tankers had struck naval mines, releasing video footage purportedly showing the incidents.

Iranian reports did not stop at the two tankers. State television quoted the Iranian army as saying that two more tankers were hit by explosions on Thursday afternoon while sailing in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz. The army claimed the vessels entered a restricted area, ignored warnings, and disabled their radar systems before catching fire after hitting naval mines.

Naval mines or unknown projectiles?

The Iranian account of the tanker explosions coincided with international reports of other attacks on commercial vessels in the area. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said a ship was hit by an unknown projectile about 14 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah as it exited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.

The attack caused a fire in the ship's engine room, prompting firefighting efforts and the evacuation of all crew members. No injuries were reported, according to the agency.

The recent incidents reveal conflicting accounts of the nature of the maritime attacks. While Iranian authorities attribute the tanker explosions to naval mines encountered on unauthorized routes, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency has reported several cases of vessels being struck by unidentified projectiles.

In the early months of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28, the Revolutionary Guard Navy had claimed direct attacks on tankers. More recently, however, reports have focused on ships striking naval mines while transiting the southern part of the strait.

10 ships attacked in 10 days

These incidents come amid ongoing threats to maritime shipping, despite a relative improvement in navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and expectations of possible de-escalation in the US-Iran conflict.

According to data from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, at least 10 ships were attacked during the first 10 days of November, following 37 attacks recorded in October—the highest monthly rate since the conflict began in late February.

These figures indicate that commercial and oil tankers continue to face security risks in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters, despite hopes for easing US-Iran tensions and a rebound in traffic through the strategic waterway.