Oil tanker explodes after hitting naval mine in Strait of Hormuz: Report

According to Tasnim, the tanker struck the naval mine after leaving the shipping route designated by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz. It did not identify the vessel or provide details on its cargo, destination or whether there were any casualties.The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies. (Representative Photo)An oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday after colliding with a naval mine, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, in the latest incident to hit the strategically important waterway.According to Tasnim, the tanker struck the naval mine after leaving the shipping route designated by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz. It did not identify the vessel or provide details on its cargo, destination or whether there were any casualties.Iranian authorities had not issued an official statement on the reported explosion at the time of writing, and the circumstances surrounding the incident could not be independently verified.The reported blast comes as tensions remain high in the Gulf following months of conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel launched military operations against the country in February, severely disrupting maritime traffic through one of the world's busiest energy corridors. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies, serving as the main route for crude oil exports from Gulf producers, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, to markets across Asia, Europe and beyond. Any disruption in the waterway is closely watched by global energy markets due to its potential impact on oil shipments and prices.- EndsPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Jul 26, 2026 18:03 IST