Two oil tankers catch fire after striking naval mines near Strait of Hormuz

Two oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines in restricted waters east of the Strait of Hormuz on November 12, 2026. The incident occurred in a strategic shipping route that connects the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian Army and the IRGC Navy reported the vessels had entered prohibited areas and switched off their radar and navigation systems prior to the incident.

Tanker fire and vessel details

The IRGC Navy identified one of the vessels involved in the incident as a supertanker. While the Iranian Army reported the incident on Thursday, November 12, the IRGC Navy reported the event occurred on the night of Wednesday, November 11. According to a report by The Hawk, the IRGC Navy claimed the two vessels were carrying more than 4 million barrels of oil.

This maritime incident occurred during a period of heightened tension following a US-Israeli military offensive against Iran that began on February 28, 2026. Amid these tensions, the IRGC Aerospace Force claimed to have destroyed a US military early-warning radar installation in Bahrain. Economic Times reported that this strike was a retaliation for an alleged American aerial attack on a telecommunications tower located in the Sirik region.

Global food security risks

The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles one-third of the world's fertilizers, has caused significant economic shifts. Speaking at the COP31 climate talks in Antalya, UN official Jorge Moreira da Silva stated that fertilizer prices have risen by 30 percent because of the blockade. The United Nations suggested that five vessels are required daily for fertilizer shipments to meet demand.

Jorge Moreira da Silva warned that the current situation poses a severe threat to global stability. He stated that 45 million people could face acute food insecurity if planting seasons are missed. Furthermore, the official warned that 30 million people could be forced into poverty due to these disruptions. Jorge Moreira da Silva stated that Iran and the US should immediately allow fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to prevent poverty and food insecurity.

Glossary

• Strait of Hormuz — The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic shipping route that connects the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. It handles one-third of the world's fertilizers.
• IRGC Navy — The IRGC Navy is a branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It monitors maritime movement and has declared the strait closed after taking actions against vessels.
• IRGC Aerospace Force — The IRGC Aerospace Force is the strategic missile, air, and space force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It is responsible for space warfare and oversees the Iranian ballistic missile program.