Sea mines have re-emerged as a threat in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran reporting on Oct. 17 that two oil tankers caught fire after striking explosives. This incident has raised alarms about the safety of one of the world's most critical shipping lanes. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has warned that sea mines pose a significant danger to vessels navigating the strategic waterway.
According to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy, the two oil tankers were carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil each. State media reported that the vessels had deactivated their positioning and radar systems and were attempting to use an unauthorized route through the strait when the incidents occurred. One tanker was left immobilized after striking a mine.
The IRGC's claims come as Tehran maintains its own transit passageway within Iranian territorial waters, which involves tolls and safety fees administered by the IRGC. This framework is rejected by Washington and the IMO as inconsistent with international maritime law. The traditional and internationally recognized shipping route is an IMO-approved traffic separation scheme adopted in 1968.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that the organization has received confirmation from Iran about its temporary route but that it has not undergone the necessary international review and approval processes. "The traffic separation scheme, the information that we have is that they still have mines. And of course, whilst the conflict is ongoing, it's very difficult for us to use third parties to verify that it is clear of these hazards," Dominguez told Fox News Digital. He added, "So in the meantime, we cannot guarantee that a vessel that intends to transit that route will not be hit by a mine."
Developments in the Strait of Hormuz occur amid stalled negotiations between the U.S. and Iran regarding a potential deal to de-escalate tensions and restore maritime traffic. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, described the U.S. response to Iran's negotiation proposal as "insufficient," indicating that while some conditions were met, other issues remain unresolved. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that Tehran had submitted a proposal to Washington through Qatar, outlining conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days. However, he expressed skepticism about the U.S. response, stating, "if there is any honesty on the US part, which there isn't, the way to reopening the Strait of Hormuz is obvious."
Attacks on commercial vessels in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz have reportedly surged in recent weeks, with senior Iranian officials suggesting a shift in Tehran's strategy for engaging such vessels. For commercial shipping operators, Dominguez warned that the ongoing threat of mines and attacks means the waterway has not yet returned to normal operations. "Our role right now is to prepare for when we have the opportunity to go back, resume the operations, follow all the procedures at IMO, but not until the root causes are addressed and those are beyond IMO," he said.