Massive explosion rocks Strait of Hormuz after tanker leaves Iran-designated route

TEHRAN, IRAN: A fresh maritime scare unfolded in one of the world's most volatile waterways on Sunday, July 26, after an oil tanker was rocked by an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iranian media claiming the vessel triggered a naval mine after sailing outside a route approved by Tehran.

The reported blast comes at a time when the narrow passage has become a major flashpoint in the expanding US-Iran conflict, where even a slight deviation from Iran's newly enforced navigation rules is now being portrayed as carrying potentially devastating consequences.

Massive blast rocks Strait of Hormuz

Iranian state-affiliated outlets claimed the tanker had allegedly left the shipping corridor designated by Iranian authorities before the explosion occurred.

Tasnim News reported that the vessel struck what it described as a naval mine after moving beyond the approved navigation lane, while Mehr News, citing an informed source, echoed the same account.

Neither outlet identified the tanker, and officials have not released details about the crew, possible casualties or the extent of damage suffered by the vessel.

The reported incident follows a series of increasingly blunt warnings from Tehran over how commercial vessels should navigate the Strait of Hormuz.

Last month, Iranian authorities declared that ships would only be allowed to pass safely if they used routes authorized by Iran's military, arguing that tighter control was necessary because of mounting regional hostilities.

Those warnings have become more forceful as military exchanges between the United States and Iran have intensified in recent weeks.

IRGC's blunt warnings to vessels

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has already claimed that it has acted against vessels it says ignored its navigation orders.

Earlier this week, the IRGC alleged that three oil tankers attempted to travel through an unauthorized southern corridor.

According to the Iranian military, one vessel struck an explosive device and caught fire, forcing the remaining ships to abandon their journey.

Iranian commanders later warned that any commercial ship bypassing approved routes could face identical consequences.

The Guard had also announced earlier this month that it disabled two separate oil tankers after accusing them of switching off their navigation systems and entering what Tehran described as a mined zone outside the authorized shipping corridor.