New Images Show Oil Tanker Sinking In Strait Of Hormuz After IRGC Strike — 11 Tankers Hit In 9 Days, 4 Destroyed In One Night, Supertankers On Fire, Tugboat Burns Trying To Rescue

Newly released images and video show an oil tanker sinking in the Strait of Hormuz after it was targeted by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iran State TV aired footage showing heavy black smoke emanating from the burning tanker at sea, the vessel listing heavily to one side, almost half-submerged, engine room engulfed in flames. The report said:

 "The fate of the offending oil tanker that was struck while attempting to illegally pass through the Strait of Hormuz is that it is now sinking."

Similar footage released by IRGC Navy on Telegram / Press TV on Nov 1-2 showed a supertanker exploding, then burning for hours. A second video released Nov 5 showed a US-linked ship bombed twice.

No vessel name, flag, owner or crew number has been released by Iran for the latest sinking images. That is why independent verification is still pending.

 THE LATEST CLAIM — NOV 4-5, THE BIGGEST NIGHT YET:

Nov 4, Wednesday — 4 Tankers Destroyed:

IRGC said in a statement quoted by State TV / IRNA:

 "Four non-compliant oil tankers attempting to pass through the prohibited passage south of the Strait of Hormuz were destroyed after striking naval mines and are still burning. Two other non-compliant ships or vessels have also been halted."

IRGC also claimed its air defence shot down a US-made MQ-9 drone over the Strait at 4:30 AM local time, calling it the 56th such drone downed since Feb.

It came a day after US President Donald Trump said the US had launched strikes on Iran, following reports of a raid on Qeshm — the largest island in the Strait.

Nov 5, Thursday — 3 More Vessels On Fire:

IRGC told Fars News Agency:

 "Last night, in two separate incidents, a large oil tanker attempting to pass through the illegal passageway south of the Strait of Hormuz suffered a fire after striking a mine and was brought to a halt. Another supertanker was halted by a massive fire while exiting the eastern Strait of Hormuz. A tugboat that had approached the supertanker to extinguish the fire also caught fire."

IRGC also claimed on Nov 5 that its Navy had electronically taken control of, landed intact and seized two US-made LUCAS drones (Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System).

Nov 2, Monday — 11 In 9 Days:

IRGC Navy Command claimed on X:

 "From October 25 (the date of US CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper's visit to the Strait) to today (nine days), 11 violating oil tankers have been set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz, and some have sunk to the depths of the sea."

IRGC'S VERSION — WHY IT SAYS IT HIT THEM:

IRGC Navy spokesperson said the tankers:

 Were travelling on an "unauthorised / prohibited route" the southern passage south of the Strait, which Iran declared closed / prohibited in September

 Had switched off navigation and identification systems (AIS) to pass covertly

 Had ignored repeated radio warnings and official notices

 Were operating "with the support of the terrorist US military"

 Were in "violation of regulations" governing the waterway

IRGC says since the US-Israeli war began on Feb 28, it maintains "full operational and intelligence control"over the Strait and Persian Gulf, and the Strait remains under "sovereign control of the Islamic Republic."

It warned: Ships which defy rules and cooperate with US military to use unauthorised routes would face similar incidents.

 "The reality of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is what you are seeing, not what the terrorist CENTCOM commander claims on social media using archival footage."

 WHAT UKMTO / US / INDEPENDENT SOURCES CONFIRM  AND WHAT THEY DON'T:

This is critical IRGC's claims have NOT been independently verified.*

UKMTO (UK Maritime Trade Operations)confirmed 5 separate attacks Oct 29 - Nov 1:

   Oct 29: Tanker Louise 1, Panama-flagged, 25 NM northeast of Khasab, Oman  hit by 2 explosive devices attached by small boat to hull (limpet mines, per 3 maritime security sources to Reuters). Engine room fire, 27 crew safe.

   Oct 29: Another tanker struck by unknown projectile while leaving Strait

   Oct 30: Vessel hit by unknown projectile 40 NM south of Lavan Island, fire on board. Oman's Navy rescued 25 crew off Panama-flagged tanker RITI, on fire 106 NM off Musandam.

   Oct 30: Crude oil tanker struck by unknown projectile while leaving Strait

   Nov 1: Tug struck by unknown projectile in Strait

   Nov 1, 15:09 UTC:Master relayed Mayday on VHF Ch 16  another vessel struck by unknown projectile

    Nov 3: Tanker struck by 2 unidentified projectiles in engine room, 14 NM northeast of Lima, Oman. No casualties, no environmental impact reported.

US CENTCOM rejected IRGC's mine claim for one earlier tanker, saying vessel was first hit by an Iranian missile and later attacked by a drone while stationary off Oman. It was towed to Omani port after engine-room fire, 2 crew remained missing. CENTCOM on Oct 28 said all internationally recognized primary transit routes through Strait had been cleared of sea mines, and Adm. Brad Cooper said Oct 25 they remain free and clear of Iranian sea mines.

No flag state, insurer, or shipping tracker has confirmed the Nov 4 claim of 4 tankers destroyed. No vessel names, positions, or crew status given by IRGC, so claim cannot be tested.

CENTCOM also revealed144 vessels have been redirected in the Strait since start of US naval blockade of Iranian ports.

WHY IT MATTERS — GLOBAL OIL:

The Strait carries about 1/4 of world's seaborne oil and 1/5 of all LNG normally about 20% of global oil consumption.

 Middle East exports of crude, condensate and fuels fell to 17.1 million barrels per day in October, down from 18.9 million in September Vortexa data cited by Reuters

 Crude + condensate flows through Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Oman provisionally fell to 16.1 million bpd in October, from 17.09 million in September Kpler

-Analyst George Morris linked October retreat to heightened risks in Strait

 Two major shipping groups suspended navigation through Gulf after war flared

 Brent crude spiked again after latest incidents

BACKGROUND — WAR TIMELINE:

Feb 28, 2026: US-Israeli strikes on Iran begin, killing Supreme Leader and 200 civilians per Iran. War at stalemate for months.

Sept 2026: IRGC declares waters leading to Strait a prohibited zone, says all vessels must get permission, exercises "smart control"

Oct 14-15: Container ship GFS Pride and cargo ship Cape Dao sank after mine / projectile hits, 1 crew killed, 21 rescued

Oct 25: CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper visits Strait, says lanes clear of mines

Oct 29 - Nov 5: Wave of attacks — at least 11 tankers claimed hit by IRGC, 5 confirmed by UKMTO

Nov 3:Trump says US launched strikes on Iran, raid on Qeshm reported

Nov 4-5: IRGC claims 4 + 3 vessels destroyed / on fire

Now:Qatar mediating between Washington and Tehran amid tensions over US naval blockade and maritime security

 WHAT'S NEXT:

Iran warns "no one would benefit from a return to war" but says it stands ready to deliver "final blow" to Israel and US if attacked. Iran's top military command called US actions "blatant act of aggression" and warned of "crushing response."

US has not confirmed latest IRGC claims. Shipping companies are waiting for UKMTO / CENTCOM confirmation before resuming normal transit.

 Images are real and dramatic, but the full scale  4 tankers destroyed in one night, 11 in 9 days is Iran's claim only so far. What IS confirmed is that the Strait, the world's most important oil chokepoint, is now the most dangerous shipping lane on earth, with tankers burning, sinking, and crews being rescued almost daily.

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