Tehran, September 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said on Friday that it had struck and halted a Togo-flagged oil tanker that allegedly attempted to make an “illegal” passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to a statement published by the IRGC’s official news outlet Sepah News, the tanker, identified as Trend, caught fire after being struck and was brought to a halt.
The IRGC Navy alleged that the vessel had attempted to cross the strategic waterway through a prohibited route after being “deceived and provoked” by the US Army. It warned that vessels attempting what it described as illegal passage would face consequences.
The IRGC said its naval forces remained in control of the Strait of Hormuz and would prevent passage by what it called “aggressor” vessels.
The development follows another incident reported by the IRGC involving a supertanker identified as EL GAIA. The force said the vessel was attempting to cross the strait through a “forbidden” route south of the waterway when it exploded and caught fire after allegedly hitting naval mines.
The IRGC said efforts to contain the fire aboard EL GAIA were unsuccessful and that the tanker was eventually engulfed in flames. It also said warnings had previously been issued about the risks of using the route.
Iran has tightened restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since February 28, according to the IRGC, including barring safe passage for vessels it considers affiliated with Israel or the United States.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), which oversees maritime traffic in the waterway, warned insurance companies and classification societies against providing services to vessels on its updated list of “violating” ships.
In a post on X, the PGSA specifically warned insurance companies, protection and indemnity insurance (P&I) clubs and classification societies against providing services to the listed vessels, citing potential consequences from such dealings.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global shipping route through which substantial volumes of oil and other energy commodities are transported.
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