Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Closed After Oil Tanker Catches Fire in Naval Mine Strike

Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to commercial vessels that violate its maritime restrictions after a tanker was damaged and caught fire following an alleged naval mine strike east of the strategic waterway on October 29, 2026. Iranian military officials said the passage would remain closed until Tehran's conditions were met, escalating tensions with the United States over control of the vital shipping route.

Iran Says Tanker Hit Naval Mine in Restricted Waters

According to Iran's Army Navy, the tanker was travelling through a restricted and unsafe area east of the Strait of Hormuz when it struck a naval mine on Thursday morning. The impact damaged the vessel and triggered a fire, leaving it unable to move. Iranian authorities described the vessel as unauthorised but did not disclose its name, flag, ownership or the number of crew members aboard. Details of any casualties were not provided in the report. Donald Trump Claims US Has ‘Total Control’ of Strait of Hormuz, Calls Naval Blockade a ‘Wall of Steel’.

The announcement followed separate claims by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that three oil tankers had caught fire after hitting mines while attempting to use an unauthorised southern route through the strait. Those claims have not been independently confirmed.

Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed

Iranian military officials said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed to vessels attempting to pass through restricted areas without coordination with Iranian forces. Major General Yazidi, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, said the closure would continue until Iran's conditions were met. An IRGC deputy commander reiterated Tehran's position, asserting that the country's armed forces maintained control over the strategic waterway.

Iranian naval authorities also warned commercial shipping operators against relying on US assurances about safe passage, arguing that uncoordinated navigation through high-risk areas could endanger ships and their crews.

Iran Challenges US Claims on Mine-Clearing Operations

The latest developments came amid a dispute between Tehran and Washington over the safety of shipping routes through the strait. Iran's IRGC challenged claims by US Central Command (CENTCOM) that minesweeping operations had cleared recognised shipping lanes. Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi, the IRGC's deputy head of public relations and spokesperson, demanded independently verifiable evidence to support the American military's statements. Erdogan Dials Trump; Extends Diplomatic Resolution for Hormuz, Yemen, Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

CENTCOM, meanwhile, said on October 28 that internationally recognised primary transit routes through the Strait of Hormuz had been cleared of sea mines and remained mine-free. The US command also said thousands of commercial vessels had safely used the routes. These competing claims had not been independently reconciled in the reports available on October 29.

Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters to Global Oil Supplies

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, making it one of the world's most important maritime routes for energy exports.

Before the current conflict, roughly one-fifth of global oil and petroleum liquids consumption passed through the waterway, alongside a significant share of international liquefied natural gas shipments. Any prolonged disruption can affect shipping costs, insurance premiums, energy supplies and global oil prices.

The confrontation has also complicated efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States. US President Donald Trump said earlier this week that Tehran wanted a deal with Washington but suggested that negotiations were being delayed. He also said the decision on when to end the confrontation rested with him.

With Iran insisting that the waterway will remain closed until its conditions are met and Washington maintaining that recognised transit routes are clear of mines, the latest tanker incident has added another point of uncertainty for commercial shipping and energy markets.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 29, 2026 11:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).