Three oil tankers hit mines and catch fire in Strait of Hormuz

Iranian naval forces reported on November 14, 2026, that three oil tankers caught fire after striking mines in restricted zones of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran warned that vessels crossing without authorization face destruction, demanding an end to US naval blockades and sanctions. While the US military claims main shipping lanes are clear of mines, UKMTO reports Hormuz transit is down 65%, and the UN reports at least 25 seafarers killed since February 2026.

Iranian reports on tanker mine strikes

• ▪Iranian naval forces reported on November 14, 2026, that three oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines while attempting to transit unauthorized zones in the Strait of Hormuz
• ▪The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy stated that two tankers with disabled positioning systems struck a mine and caught fire in the southern Strait of Hormuz, including one supertanker
• ▪Iran's conventional navy reported that a third oil tanker with tracking systems turned off was forced to stop after striking a mine east of the Strait of Hormuz on November 14, 2026

Iranian reports on vessel explosions

• ▪The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released footage, showing a large plume of smoke from a liquefied gas vessel reportedly struck by a mine
• ▪Iran's armed forces reported several fires or explosions on board ships in the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks, frequently stating that the vessels struck mines

Iranian restrictions and warnings on transit

• ▪Iranian authorities require commercial vessels to receive Iranian approval before crossing the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict that began in February 2026
• ▪Iranian officials stated the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to unauthorized ships until the United States ends its naval blockade of Iranian ports, lifts sanctions, unfreezes funds, and stops fighting
• ▪Iran's navy warned via state broadcaster IRIB that any unauthorized tanker traveling in the restricted zone east of the Strait of Hormuz will be set on fire by hitting naval mines

United States military actions and posture

• ▪The United States maintains a naval blockade on Iranian ports in response to Tehran's restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz and provides military support to commercial tankers
• ▪The United States military stated that it cleared primary shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz of naval mines and that the waterway remains open for commercial shipping

International assessments of shipping disruptions

• ▪United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari stated that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are raising global energy, transport, and insurance costs while threatening food security
• ▪The International Maritime Organization recorded 136 maritime security incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and wider Middle East between March 1 and November 11, 2026, peaking at 35 in October 2026
• ▪United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari reported that at least 25 seafarers were killed in and around the Strait of Hormuz between February 2026 and November 11, 2026
• ▪United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is approximately 65 percent below pre-war levels as of November 2026