Two tankers damaged in the Strait of Hormuz

On the night of November 11, 2026, two large tankers were severely damaged by powerful explosions in the Strait of Hormuz. The naval branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that the vessels were disabled after disregarding warnings to avoid an unauthorized maritime route. Iranian authorities described the tankers as "delinquent" but have not disclosed the names or flags of the involved ships.

Tehran maintains strict control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage that previously accounted for approximately one-fifth of global hydrocarbon transit prior to the current conflict in the Middle East. The IRGC claims the damage resulted from an accident on an unapproved route, while recent weeks have seen a series of similar reports regarding fires at sea.

Contextually, Iran has frequently attributed such incidents to maritime mines, whereas Washington has disputed these claims, maintaining that it has conducted extensive demining operations in the area. No further details regarding casualties or the current status of the crews have been provided by official sources at this time.