Tehran, October 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said early Monday that an oil tanker it described as “violating” maritime regulations had suffered an explosion after hitting a naval mine south of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement published by the IRGC’s official news outlet, Sepah News, the navy said the blast caused a fire in the tanker’s engine room.
It added that the vessel had switched off its GPS and navigation systems and was attempting to leave the strait through what it called an “unauthorised” route south of the waterway, in disregard of the applicable regulations, Xinhua News Agency reported.
The IRGC Navy warned that vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters would face “severe and decisive” action if they switched off their navigation and identification systems.
Over the past week, the navy has reported that several oil tankers it described as “violating” maritime rules exploded after striking naval mines while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC Navy has claimed full control over the strait’s eastern waters, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, saying it is aware of the risks associated with vessels entering areas it considers forbidden.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Tehran’s proposed seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz remained “still on the table.”
Araghchi made the remarks in an interview with Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, on the sidelines of the 52nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital.
He said Iran’s conditions for ending hostilities and reopening the strait were “completely clear” and had been submitted to the United States under the seven-day plan.
Washington has presented its views on the proposal, which Tehran is currently reviewing, he added.
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