Hormuz Tanker Fire Hits Two Vessels and Tugboat
Two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after one of the vessels struck a mine, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Thursday, 5 November 2026. The Hormuz tanker fire is the latest in a run of attacks on shipping in the waterway, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil.
The Guards said the fires broke out overnight in two separate incidents, after the vessels tried to use unauthorised routes. A large oil tanker struck a mine while crossing a passage south of the strait, caught fire and came to a halt. A second vessel, described as a supertanker, caught fire while leaving the route in the eastern part of the waterway. A tugboat that moved in to help put out the blaze also caught fire.
Reuters reported the Guards’ statement on Thursday morning. The Guards gave no details of casualties or the extent of the damage to the vessels.
Two US drones seized, Guards say
The Guards said their navy also took control of two American LUCAS drones that entered the area. The drones, short for Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, were brought down intact and seized, according to the statement carried by Iranian state media. The claim could not be independently verified.
The statement marked 250 days since the war began on 28 February, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Since then Tehran has severely restricted traffic through the strait. The Guards said 11 tankers had caught fire there in the nine days to 2 November, and four more were destroyed on 4 November after striking mines on a prohibited route south of the strait.
South Korea sends a mission to keep the strait open
South Korea said it would deploy maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal team to waters near the Strait of Hormuz as part of a mission to help keep the waterway open. Seoul also decided to expand the area covered by its Cheonghae anti-piracy naval unit, which works south of Oman near the strait.
Oil prices have eased this week as traders bet that the Republicans’ midterm losses may lower the risk of further escalation. Brent crude fell 97 cents, or 1.03 per cent, to $93.65 a barrel on Thursday morning, while US West Texas Intermediate fell $1.14, or 1.29 per cent, to $86.98. Both benchmarks had tumbled by more than 8 per cent in the previous session, to their lowest since 31 August.
What the Hormuz tanker fire means for Pakistan
Pakistan feels every swing in the oil market at the pump. The government has cut petrol prices three times in recent days, and Feature Pakistan has reported that petrol now sells at Rs362 a litre. A fresh disruption could push prices back up, because Pakistan imports nearly all of its oil by sea.
The falling oil price has already eased pressure on the government. Feature Pakistan has reported that oil fell for a fourth straight day as the risk of a wider Iran war eased. The latest fires are a reminder that the calm is fragile.
The war has also shaped American politics. Vice President JD Vance has said the Iran war cost the Republicans the midterm elections, as Feature Pakistan reported in its account of Vance’s warning. The United States has also sanctioned Indian companies over an Iran shadow fleet, as Feature Pakistan reported in its account of the sanctions.
What happens next
The Guards said their navy continues to manage the strait with full control, and warned ships against using unauthorised routes. Shippers must now decide whether to keep using the strait or wait, and traders will watch for more fires.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the Strait of Hormuz?
Two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire overnight. One tanker struck a mine south of the strait, and a second supertanker caught fire in the east. A tugboat that went to help also caught fire.
Why did the vessels catch fire?
The Guards said the vessels were trying to use unauthorised routes. One tanker struck a naval mine. No casualty or damage details were given.
How important is the Strait of Hormuz for oil?
The strait normally carries about a fifth of global oil consumption, so any disruption there affects fuel prices everywhere, including Pakistan.
What did South Korea announce?
South Korea said it would send maritime patrol aircraft and a bomb disposal team near the strait, and expand its Cheonghae naval unit’s area, to help keep the waterway open.
Has this happened before?
Yes. The Guards said 11 tankers caught fire in the strait in the nine days to 2 November, and four tankers were destroyed on 4 November after striking mines on a prohibited route.
