Iran Says Supertanker Hit by Mines in Strait of Hormuz - Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com

**Iran Claims Supertanker Struck by Mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Prompting Oil‑Price Spike**

*September 1, 2026 –* A large crude‑carrying supertanker transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz was reported to have been struck by three projectiles on **September 1**. The incident, confirmed by the United Kingdom’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been described by Tehran as the result of “sea mines” placed in the waterway. According to the IRGC, the vessel caught fire after the impact, but the crew was evacuated safely and the blaze was brought under control by the ship’s onboard fire‑fighting systems. The tanker, identified by its IMO number as **9701234**, was en route from **Kuwait to the United Arab Emirates** carrying an estimated **2.1 million barrels of light crude**.

Iran’s foreign ministry released a statement accusing “unidentified hostile forces” of laying the explosive devices, urging the international community to condemn the attack and to “immediately cease any actions that jeopardize the safety of navigation in the world’s most critical oil chokepoint.” The UKMTO, which monitors vessel movements in the region, reported that the tanker was hit by three “unknown projectiles” and that the incident occurred roughly **15 nautical miles southwest of the Iranian coast**. No other commercial vessels reported damage, and the strait was temporarily closed to traffic while authorities conducted a sweep for additional mines. The incident follows a series of recent maritime security alerts in the Gulf, including drone sightings and alleged sabotage attempts, heightening concerns over the safety of global energy shipments.

The episode sent crude‑oil benchmarks higher, with **Brent crude** climbing **$1.80 per barrel** to **$84.70**, and **WTI** rising **$2.10** to **$80.30** by mid‑day trading. Analysts at OilPrice.com noted that even a brief disruption in the 21 million‑barrel‑per‑day flow through the Hormuz corridor can tighten global supplies and amplify price volatility. While the United States and Israel have not publicly linked the attack to any specific party, both governments reiterated their commitment to keeping the strait open for navigation. The incident underscores the fragile security environment in the Gulf, where any escalation could reverberate through world oil markets and affect downstream economies.

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