Naval Mines Strike Two Supertankers in the Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced that two supertankers struck naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, according to the official Iranian news agency IRNA. The forces stated that the incident occurred in international waters near the strait, through which about a fifth of global daily oil supplies pass.

The incident comes amid ongoing military escalation between Iran and the United States, following Tehran's earlier claim that seven oil tankers were hit in the same area, which Washington denied as inaccurate. It remains unclear who planted the mines, while U.S. officials warned that any actual closure of the strait would be considered a red line prompting a direct military response.

The incident caused disruptions to maritime traffic in the strait, as global shipping companies began rerouting some of their tankers or temporarily suspending voyages to avoid risks. Insurance premiums for tankers passing through the region have also surged sharply in recent days, according to specialized reports in the maritime shipping sector.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his threat to launch a new military strike against Iran if tensions persist, while the Revolutionary Guard affirmed it would not allow U.S. warships to approach the strait. Observers are anticipating the impact of this escalation on global energy markets, especially with early Israeli elections scheduled for next Tuesday approaching.

What do these terms mean?

**Strait of Hormuz:** A narrow waterway separating Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, and the sole sea route for transporting oil from the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world.

**Supertanker:** A massive ship designed for transporting large quantities of crude oil, capable of carrying millions of barrels in a single voyage.

**Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC):** An Iranian military force parallel to the regular army, directly subordinate to the Supreme Leader, tasked with protecting the country's strategic interests, including Gulf waters.