Iran Guards Declare Strait of Hormuz Closed After Tanker Explodes

General22 sourcesOct 17, 2026

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The Story

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and prohibited passage for ships of various nationalities, following a supertanker explosion and fire on Saturday.

The IRGC accused the vessel of deliberately switching off its GPS and radar systems in an alleged attempt to deceive Iranian maritime authorities. The circumstances surrounding the reported incident were not independently verified. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), stated on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is controlled by the United States and its regional partners, not Iran, and remains open for business.

He added that US forces are working with regional allies and partners in the shipping industry to help protect vessels navigating the Strait. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported late Friday that at least 12 ships were attacked in or near the Strait of Hormuz in the week ending October 16. UKMTO noted it struggled to accurately report the true number of attacks, as most vessels attacked refused to report incidents.

The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption. Iran seized control over Hormuz after the US-Israel war on Iran began in late February, restricting maritime movement. Washington responded by imposing its own naval counter-blockade on Iranian oil exports. IRGC Navy Commander Ali Azmaei warned this week that any vessel deactivating its navigation systems would be considered hostile. Combined inbound and outbound transits through the Strait remained about 70 percent below pre-war levels, according to UKMTO.

What they agree on

Iran's Revolutionary Guards reported that an oil supertanker caught fire and exploded after hitting a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC claims the tanker was carrying over 2 million barrels of crude oil and was attempting to pass through an unauthorized route with its tracking systems off.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping route, normally carrying a portion of global oil consumption.
The US-Israel war on Iran, which began in late February, has intensified tensions and disrupted maritime traffic in the region.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) asserts that the United States and its partners control the Strait of Hormuz, not Iran, and that it remains open for business.

Where they split

Iran's IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and passage prohibited, while US CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated the Strait is controlled by the US and its partners and remains open for business.
Iranian state media, including Sepah News and Press TV, reported the IRGC's claims about the tanker's actions and the closure of the Strait, while Al Jazeera and UKMTO focused on the broader pattern of ship attacks and the difficulty in verifying incidents.
The National reported that India's Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways stated a crude oil tanker with 15 Indian crew was struck by a projectile on Friday, and a Singapore-registered container ship sank on Thursday, but these incidents are not explicitly linked to the mine strike reported by Iran's IRGC in other sources.
Some sources like Euronews state the Strait carries "around 25% of the world’s seaborne oil trade," while others like AFP and Reuters report it carries "about one-fifth of global oil consumption."