Conflicting reports suggest the blast may have been caused by other means, with Beamtracker noting the IRGC-N targeted a vessel using Shahed-136 drones at 12:30 UTC. Unverified footage analyzed by MenchOsint suggested the possibility of an unmanned surface vessel, while gCaptain reported that evidence for the Iranian claims of mines in the corridor remains elusive. In the wake of the incident, only one ship has utilized the Iran-approved route through the strait in the last 24 hours.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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IRGC Reports 2 Million Barrel Supertanker Exploded After Hitting Mine
Commodities5 hours ago
Video footage released by Iranian military officials shows the aftermath of an attack on a maritime vessel that allegedly entered a prohibited zone. The IRGC Navy claims a supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil exploded and caught fire after hitting a naval mine in the southern Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. According to the Guards, the vessel ignored repeated warnings, disabled its radar and navigation systems, and attempted to exit through an unauthorized route. The IRGC warned that ship owners and crews will be held responsible for security violations and will face a firm response.
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