Tarek Chouiref
11 October 2026•Update: 11 October 2026
A tanker caught fire after being struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Sunday.
The master of the outbound tanker reported that the vessel was struck on its port side by an unknown projectile, causing a fire onboard, said the UKMTO.
The crew was reported safe, while the extent of the damage and any environmental effects remain unknown.
Authorities are investigating, and vessels were advised to transit the area with caution.
The incident came hours after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said late Saturday that an oil supertanker struck a naval mine and exploded while attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz through an unauthorized southern route.
The IRGC said the vessel, which it described as capable of carrying around 2 million barrels of oil, had switched off its navigation systems before trying to cross the vital shipping route for global energy and commodity supplies.
It said the tanker struck a mine while trying to exit through the alternative route, triggering an explosion visible from coastal areas.
Iran said on July 12 that it had again closed the waterway following the resumption of US attacks on July 8.
Tehran has also threatened to target vessels that use routes other than those designated by Iranian authorities or try to transit the strait without permission.
The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28 that has killed more than 3,000 people, according to Tehran. Iran retaliated with attacks that killed Americans and Israelis before a ceasefire was reached in April.
The US subsequently carried out additional strikes on Iranian sites amid stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran, despite the signing of a framework agreement in June.
Talks have remained deadlocked due to disagreements concerning navigation through the strategic waterway.