Fact Check: Is IRGC's claim a supertanker hit mines in Strait of Hormuz true?

WASHINGTON, DC: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that an unidentified supertanker caught fire and stopped while sailing south of the Strait of Hormuz. 

The IRGC said the vessel had followed an “illegal route” and warned ships to follow Iran’s navigation rules instead of US guidance. The claim comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States following recent military action near the strategic waterway.

Claim: IRGC claims supertanker hit mines in Strait of Hormuz

According to an X user, the IRGC Navy claimed that a supertanker caught fire and stopped after hitting two naval mines while traveling through an unauthorized route in the southern Strait of Hormuz.

The user wrote, “A rogue supertanker caught fire after being hit by two naval mines. A few hours ago, a rogue supertanker that was attempting to pass through an illegal route in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz caught fire after being hit by two naval mines and came to a complete standstill.”

The user also shared the IRGC Navy’s warning, writing, “The IRGC Navy reiterates that the fate of ships that violate the security regulations of the Strait of Hormuz will be no different. Compliance with the regulations issued by the IRGC Navy for transit is mandatory."

It also added, "Shipping companies should not be deceived by the provocations of the US 'child-killing' army and should not unnecessarily expose the assets and lives of their ship crews to destruction.”

Another user repeated the claim, writing, “Oil supertanker, which was violating maritime order of the Strait of Hormoz, hits a mine and is disabled — IRGC Navy.”

Fact Check: The claim is unverified

The claim is unverified. The IRGC did not provide evidence to show that the vessel hit a mine, and independent sources had not confirmed the cause of the fire at the time of reporting.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz following recent US strikes on Iranian military targets.

US forces recently struck Iranian launchers on Larak Island after saying IRGC forces were preparing to deploy sea mines in the waterway. This context may have fueled speculation that the supertanker also hit a mine.

However, a fire or loss of movement alone does not prove that a mine caused the incident.

Without independent confirmation from the vessel’s operator, maritime authorities or other reliable sources, the claim that the tanker struck two mines remains unverified. It should not be presented as a confirmed mine attack.