Two Oil Tankers Catch Fire in Strait of Hormuz After Accident on Unauthorised Route

Two oil tankers carrying over four million barrels of oil caught fire on Thursday, November 12, 2026, after an accident in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards stated that the vessels were using an unauthorised southern maritime route. Tehran has heavily restricted traffic through the shipping channel since the war in West Asia began in late February, requiring ships to use approved routes. In response, the United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and helped tankers travel through the strait. According to the Revolutionary Guards, the two supertankers acted in violation of regulations and ignored repeated warnings. The statement noted that a violent explosion left the tankers immobilised and ablaze, while blaming the incident on the blind trust placed in the American military. The statement did not specify the exact nature of the accident. Iranian forces have reported multiple ships catching fire in recent weeks while trying to use off-limits routes. Tehran frequently claims these vessels struck mines, although the U.S. military recently stated that all mines have been cleared from the strait.

Context

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global trade route that normally carries about one-fifth of the world's oil supply. Traffic restrictions and military tensions in the area continue to pose serious risks for commercial shipping vessels operating in the region.