Four Tankers Ablaze In Strait Of Hormuz After Hitting Naval Mines On ‘Unauthorized’ Route, Says IRGC — UKMTO Reports Vessel On Fire Off Khasab, Oman

DUBAI / TEHRAN:Videos aired on Iranian state media appear to show a vessel ablaze near the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and army said on Thursday that four vessels had struck naval mines on an “unauthorized” southern route. Iran said the vessels had ignored its warnings and switched off their tracking systems. No independent monitor has confirmed mines as the cause. Britain’s UKMTO reported a vessel on fire off Khasab, Oman, and separately a tanker struck by an unknown projectile.

Timeline Oct 29-30:

IRGC Navy (via IRNA / State TV):“Over past 24 hours, three violating oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking mines while attempting to pass through unauthorised southern route of Strait of Hormuz.” Vessels “switched off all their radar and navigation systems” and disregarded IRGC Navy warnings. Abandoned on southern shores.

Iran Army (later Thursday): Fourth tanker caught fire east of Strait after hitting mines while “operating in restricted and dangerous area.” Unable to move.

 No flag, ownership, casualty details given by Tehran.

Iran considers southern corridor near Omani coast unauthorised. Statement: “Unauthorised route through Strait of Hormuz is mined, vessel owners and crews are responsible for transiting and should not pay attention to CENTCOM’s delusions on social media.”

UKMTO / Independent Monitors:

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO)  British maritime monitor reported four incidents in 24 hours

 Oct 30 02:00 UTC: Vessel on fire 25 nautical miles NE of Khasab, Oman. Third-party report: small boat approached port side, attached two explosive devices to hull above waterline, engine room fire, temporarily disabled.

Same area earlier: vessel on fire, fire later extinguished, crew safe.

 Dhow on fire 9 NM north of Khasab, major fire, listed and sank crew safely evacuated.

 Tanker struck by unknown projectile 60 NM south of Yemen’s Mocha (Red Sea) separate but linked.

UKMTO did NOT confirm mines as cause; said projectile / explosive devices attached. AP: Could not independently verify Iran’s mine claim.

 Rudaw: marks fourth reported vessel set ablaze in 24-hour period.

US vs Iran Claims:

CENTCOM on X Wednesday:“All internationally recognized primary transit routes through Strait of Hormuz have been cleared of sea mines by US forces and remain so. Thousands of commercial vessels have safely used transit lanes.”

IRGC Spokesman Hossein Mohebi on X: “Prove your Hormuz mine-clearing claim with independent evidence, not statements!”

 Iran also claimed it captured US MQM-170 reconnaissance drone via electronic warfare in western Strait — unverified.

Context:

War began Feb 28, 2026. Strait normally carries ∼20 million barrels oil/day 20% world supply. Iran imposed restrictions since war, reported 30+ vessels hit since Monday per Washington Institute highest since March.

 Follows Ghalibaf’s 7 conditions for reopening Hormuz, US demining operation, and UK PM Andy Burnham’s call for full reopening without Iranian nuclear capability.