Iranian military reported several oil tankers struck by sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a number of separate incidents involving vessels in the area but did not confirm Tehran's version of mass mine strikes.
The statements by the Iranian military on October 30 were reported by Al Jazeera.
According to the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), three oil tankers hit sea mines within 24 hours, caught fire, and were abandoned by their crews.
The Iranian side claims that the vessels attempted to exit the strait via a southern route that Tehran considers unauthorized. According to the Iranian agency Tasnim, the crews allegedly turned off radar and navigation systems and ignored the military's warnings.
Separately, Iran's regular army reported another vessel that it claims struck mines east of the Strait of Hormuz.
There is currently no independent confirmation of these reports. The Iranian side has not released the names and flags of all vessels, nor data that would allow verifying the number of mine strikes and their causes.
Meanwhile, UKMTO recorded several maritime incidents in the Strait of Hormuz area on October 29.
In particular, the service reported a fire on a vessel approximately 25 nautical miles northeast of the Omani city of Khasab. Initially, the cause of the fire was unknown, but later information emerged about an attack using explosive devices.
According to updated UKMTO data, a small boat approached the tanker, and two explosive devices were attached to the hull above the waterline. After detonation, a fire broke out in the engine room, causing the vessel to temporarily lose propulsion.
The fire was extinguished, the crew was unharmed, and the tanker resumed its journey to its next port. This was reported by the specialized publication Seatrade Maritime citing an updated warning from the British service.
In addition, UKMTO received a report of another tanker hit by an unidentified projectile while exiting the Strait of Hormuz. There is no information about injured crew members.
In another case, a fire was recorded on a vessel near Khasab, later identified as a traditional trading sailing vessel - a dhow. It sank, but the crew was evacuated.
Thus, the British service confirmed several dangerous incidents in the strait area, but its reports do not support the conclusion that four oil tankers were struck by sea mines, as Iran claims.
Earlier, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) had denied Iranian reports of mine strikes on commercial vessels. US military officials stated that the main internationally recognized shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz are clear of mines.
The new reports increase uncertainty for international shipping and oil logistics. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important routes for exporting oil and liquefied natural gas from the Persian Gulf countries. Threats to tankers could lead to increased costs for shipowners for insurance, security, and transportation of energy resources.
Earlier, Currency of Ukraine reported about rising oil prices amid previous incidents in the Strait of Hormuz. At that time, Iranian military also claimed a tanker struck a sea mine, but there was no independent confirmation.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Tasnim, Seatrade Maritime
