Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on November 4 that four oil tankers had been destroyed by naval mines south of the Strait of Hormuz and that it had stopped two other vessels.
The IRGC, which Washington lists as a terrorist organization, gave no ship names, flags, or casualty figures. Reuters could not independently verify the claim.
(Oct. 16, 2025) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) renders honors to the USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), Oct. 16, 2025. Paul Ignatius is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Bradley Wolff)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 06, 2008) – The guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) steams through the Atlantic Ocean. Roosevelt is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) in support of maritime security operations in the Navy’s 5th and 6th fleet areas of responsibility. The Iwo Jima ESG is made up of Roosevelt, homeported at Mayport, Fla.; the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); the amphibious dock landing ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); the amphibious transport dock ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); all homeported at Norfolk, Va.; and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky (Released)
The statement came after two separate attacks near Oman. Projectiles struck an unnamed tanker’s engine room on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, an attack on the Al Jusufi left one Indian seafarer dead on Monday.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) alert referred to projectile strikes, while Indian officials announced that the other vessel was struck by an unidentified aerial object.
Iran: Pair of Vessels Stopped
The tankers attempted to take “a prohibited route south of the Strait of Hormuz” and “remain engulfed in flames,” the IRGC detailed in a statement published by Iranian state media. The statement offered no details about the crews of the two vessels.
On Sunday, a pair of tankers “exploded” after hitting mines, the IRGC alleged.
A spokesperson for the terror group claimed that the ships had violated regulations and switched off their navigation and identification systems to avoid being detected.
The IRGC issued a similar claim on October 30, stating that four tankers had caught fire and exploded.
The claims cannot be independently verified, and it remains unclear whether the claims involved any of the same vessels.
Tanker’s Engine Room Hit
At 7 p.m. GMT Tuesday, “two unknown projectiles” struck the engine room of a tanker about 14 nautical miles northeast of Lima, Oman, its company security officer reported to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The agency said no casualties or environmental damage had been reported and advised vessels to “transit with caution.” The warning did not name the tanker.
UKMTO also issued a warning on Sunday after a merchant ship relayed a Mayday call from another vessel that reported being hit by an “unknown projectile.” The International Maritime Organization identified the Largo Atom as a tanker damaged 72 nautical miles east of Ras Al Khafji, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
It reported no pollution.
One Seafarer Killed Off Oman
India’s foreign ministry said one of the 14 Indian nationals aboard the Al Jusufi died after an attack off Oman on Monday.
The other 13 were rescued. India’s shipping minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, said the vessel had been “struck by an unidentified aerial object” and identified the dead seafarer as Gandhar Nahim Ajij of Gujarat.
Qatar Gas Transport Company said its liquefied natural gas carrier Al Mayeda was “hit by unidentified objects” in the Persian Gulf on Friday. The vessel remained operational, and no crew members were injured.
Qatar’s foreign ministry called it a “dangerous act” and said an investigation was underway.
U.S. Strikes and Qatar’s Mediation
U.S. forces struck Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday. A U.S. official told Reuters the strikes targeted surface-to-air missiles Iran had used against U.S. assets.
President Donald Trump told the Financial Times on Tuesday that the U.S. was “locked and loaded” if it needed to act, adding that “there may be no reason for it.”
A Qatari delegation held about three hours of talks in Tehran on Monday before returning to Doha. On Tuesday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said both parties were still considering proposals, offering a “glimmer of hope” for an agreement.
He said it was too early to speak of a breakthrough. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the U.S. response to Tehran’s demands was unconvincing.
Tehran has called for an end to the U.S. naval blockade and relief from oil sanctions.
Crude Oil Prices Drop
Brent crude futures traded at $101.85 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures at $94.91 at 10:34 a.m. GMT Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Both were down after earlier gains.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that oil flows through Hormuz averaged 4.9 million barrels per day in the second quarter of 2026, down from 21.6 million in the last quarter of 2025, before the war began.
Commercial traffic through the strait remained “significantly below normal levels,” marine insurer Steamship Mutual said Monday.
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
