Three oil tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday after allegedly travelling through unauthorised shipping routes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said. The incidents occurred amid escalating military tensions and growing restrictions on commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.
In a statement, the IRGC claimed that the vessels exploded and caught fire while sailing through routes that Iranian authorities had not approved. However, officials did not identify the tankers or disclose their nationalities, ownership or the number of crew members aboard.
Iran Warns Ships Against Using Unauthorised Routes
The IRGC said the tankers had violated maritime regulations while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities also alleged that the vessels had switched off their navigation and identification systems before entering the restricted routes.
Moreover, the Iranian military warned that ships ignoring its navigation instructions and cooperating with American forces could face serious consequences. Tehran has repeatedly insisted that commercial vessels must follow routes authorised by Iranian authorities.
Meanwhile, the strategic waterway has experienced significant disruption since the outbreak of the Iran war in February 2026. The United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports while supporting commercial shipping operations in the region.
Tanker Fire Reports Raise Maritime Security Concerns
Separately, a British maritime monitoring agency reported that another tanker caught fire near Khasab, Oman, on Saturday. Military authorities reported the incident and confirmed that the crew evacuated the vessel.
Additionally, reports from the United Arab Emirates said rescuers had recovered 22 people from a burning vessel in the Gulf of Oman. All rescued individuals remained in stable condition.
However, authorities have not confirmed whether these incidents involved the same vessels mentioned in Iran’s announcement. The developments have increased concerns about maritime security and disruptions to international oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
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