Conflict & Security
Iran Guards say two oil tankers halted in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Monday that two oil tankers trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz had exploded and been brought to a halt.
In a statement reported by the Tasnim news agency, the Guards said the incident happened late Sunday night. They said two non-compliant oil tankers attempted to enter and exit through what was described as the unsafe and hazardous southern route of the strait.
The statement did not give further details about the tankers, their crews, any damage, or possible casualties.
Update
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said two oil tankers were trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz late Sunday night.
The Guards said the tankers were non-compliant and had used what was described as an unsafe and hazardous southern route.
The Guards said the tankers exploded and were brought to a halt.
The statement was reported by the Tasnim news agency.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 02:03:11 UTC.
Update
UKMTO said the ship fire was in waters about 15 kilometres northwest of Oman.
UKMTO did not specify the cause of the blaze.
Donald Trump told reporters that the United States was hitting Iran "very hard" in retaliation for recent deaths of American troops in the Middle East.
Kuwait's military said it was responding to an Iranian drone attack targeting its territory.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 01:33:50 UTC.
Update
Oil prices rose at the opening of the Asian trading session on Monday.
The rise followed news of US strikes on Iran for a ninth straight night and a vessel on fire in the Hormuz strait.
Brent crude for September delivery rose 2.72 percent to $90.50 around 0100 GMT.
West Texas Intermediate climbed 2.39 percent to $84.46.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 01:11:53 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The source did not identify the tankers.
The source did not give details on crews, damage, casualties, or independent confirmation of the Guards' account.
Source
AFP news report published on .