Iran claimed a gas tanker struck a mine and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, following President Donald Trump’s warning that he would not hesitate to unleash fresh military strikes against the regime.
Iranian state media, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy, alleged the vessel was traveling an “unauthorized and dangerous route” when it hit the mine.
Reuters reported that details identifying the tanker were not immediately available. The account came from Iranian authorities, rather than an independent confirmation of the explosion or its cause.
The latest claim followed a pointed warning from Trump, who told Hugh Hewitt in a Thursday interview that he remained willing to use military force to stop Iran from threatening American allies and commercial vessels.
Trump said he could order additional strikes if conditions deteriorated and indicated that military action remained an immediate possibility.
He also warned of dire consequences if Iran assassinated a senior American official.
The threat followed reports that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had relocated to a military base because of Iranian threats against his life. A Treasury spokesperson said the threats would not deter him from carrying out the administration’s economic pressure campaign.
Trump also said he would consider it a defeat if Iran’s current leadership remained in power when his presidency ends.
The president argued that the American naval blockade was weakening the regime and maintained that Washington controls the Strait of Hormuz. Those assertions came as commercial shipping continued to face attacks in and around the waterway.
Friday’s reported blast would mark the fifth tanker explosion claimed by Iranian authorities in two days.
Iranian media reported Thursday that four oil tankers were hit by explosions after allegedly ignoring warnings and entering areas Tehran considers restricted.
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The continuing danger has outlasted the most intense fighting in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which began in late February.
At least 10 ships were hit during the first 10 days of November, according to Washington Institute for Near East Policy data cited by Reuters. October recorded 37 attacks, the highest monthly total since the war began.
A Nov. 5 advisory from the Joint Maritime Information Center separately documented four attacks in the strait within roughly 52 hours earlier that month.
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The center assessed the threat in the strait as severe and warned of continued Revolutionary Guard harassment, surveillance and pressure on shipping routes, along with the danger of attempted mining.
Washington has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports as part of its effort to squeeze the regime’s revenue.
Trump signaled Thursday that securing a negotiated agreement was no longer his priority, saying the United States did not need a deal with Tehran. He directed Vice President JD Vance to focus instead on investigating alleged fraud and corruption in Democratic-run cities and states.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described Iranian demands, including war reparations, as unacceptable, Reuters reported.
Regional allies have pushed to prevent another major escalation. After meeting with Qatar’s prime minister Monday, Trump indicated that he considered the military campaign effectively over for now and said Gulf partners preferred maintaining the existing situation.
His Thursday warning nevertheless left renewed strikes on the table as the maritime confrontation continued.
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[ H/T Trending Politics ]
