IRGC Unleashes DRAMATIC FOOTAGE of Mine Explosion Near Super Tanker in Strategic Hormuz Strait

A supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil has reportedly exploded and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim the vessel struck a naval mine while attempting to cross a route Tehran says was unauthorized. But other reports suggest the ship may have been hit by a cruise missile. According to Iran's state-owned Press TV, the IRGC said the vessel was traveling through the strategic waterway when the incident occurred on October 17. Iranian authorities allege that the vessel had switched off its tracking and positioning systems in an attempt to evade maritime monitoring. They said the vessel was attempting to navigate through an area subject to Iranian restrictions. However, the precise circumstances surrounding the explosion remain unclear. The accounts differ over whether a naval mine or a cruise missile caused the blast. Following the incident, Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued a stern warning to vessels operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC declared that the waterway was closed under what it described as Iran's sovereign decisions and maritime regulations. It also threatened consequences for ships that defied its restrictions. The warning raises serious concerns for commercial shipping operators, particularly those transporting crude oil through one of the world's most strategically important maritime corridors. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy supplies. Before the war, roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed through this narrow waterway. Any disruption here can affect tanker movements, increase shipping risks, and add uncertainty to international energy markets. A prolonged interruption could also complicate supplies for countries that rely heavily on oil and gas imports. That is why reports of a major tanker explosion, combined with threats against vessels using the route, are drawing attention far beyond the Gulf region. The incident comes amid rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. The supplied reports say attacks near the waterway have increased in recent weeks, as Iran intensifies its response to a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and tighter sanctions. The confrontation has created a more dangerous environment for commercial vessels, with competing restrictions, military threats, and uncertainty over safe navigation.