Iran’s Guard Says Two Tankers Hit Mines and Caught Fire in Hormuz

Two crude oil tankers hit mines and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The report adds to a dangerous run of attacks around a narrow waterway used by ships carrying energy from the Gulf. It also comes as US President Donald Trump warns Tehran to make a deal or face renewed military action. ¹

The Strait of Hormuz is now at the center of both the fighting and the peace effort. Gulf nations have condemned a Friday attack on a Qatari ship carrying liquefied natural gas. A British maritime agency reported that another vessel was hit by an unknown projectile on Sunday. The Guard’s account of the two tankers has not been independently confirmed in the reports provided. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says talks with mediators on a two-day plan to reopen the strait are continuing. ^1,8

That two-day plan follows an earlier Iranian proposal for seven days of steps to build trust before broader peace talks. Qatari mediators have hosted discussions, while Trump has sent mixed signals. He says the war will end “very soon,” but has also threatened to strike one or two remaining targets, including the suspected underground site Pickaxe Mountain. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Trump has not decided whether to launch new strikes and prefers a diplomatic outcome. ^2,3,6

Trump’s decision matters beyond the two countries because attacks or restrictions in Hormuz threaten shipping on a vital global energy route. Iran’s military leaders warn a new war could last longer and spread beyond the region. Tehran is demanding sanctions relief and an end to the US naval blockade. The next clear marker is the US midterm election on November 3. After that, Trump must choose whether to keep negotiations going or resume strikes. ^2,3