DUBAI — November 12, 2026. Iran’s military said four oil tankers were damaged by explosions in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and Thursday, blaming vessels for entering restricted waters despite warnings. Reuters said it could not independently verify the Iranian account.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy said two supertankers were disabled on Wednesday after allegedly using an unauthorized route. Iranian state media attributed the explosions to naval mines. The Iranian army subsequently reported two additional vessels striking mines in the eastern strait on Thursday. These descriptions are claims by Iranian authorities, not independently established causes.
Separate maritime warning
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency separately reported that a vessel was hit by an unidentified projectile northwest of Ras Al-Khaimah while exiting the strait, igniting an engine-room fire. The crew evacuated, according to the agency. That incident should not automatically be conflated with Iran’s account of mine strikes.
Consequences beyond the Gulf
The waterway is a critical energy-shipping corridor. Repeated attacks can raise shipping insurance, transport costs and uncertainty for fuel buyers. Import-dependent economies, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, may face indirect pressure if regional fuel prices or supply chains are disrupted. Such effects are risks rather than confirmed price increases attributable to these specific incidents.
Reuters reported that at least 10 ships were struck in the first 10 days of November, following 37 attacks in October, citing data from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Source: Reuters, November 12, 2026 — Four tankers struck by explosions in Strait of Hormuz, Iran says. KNA did not independently inspect the vessels or verify the cause of the explosions.
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