Iranian authorities have reported another vessel explosion in the Strait of Hormuz, as maritime security officials warn of continued attacks against commercial shipping.

On November 13, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed that a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier struck a naval mine and suffered an explosion in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iranian state media, the vessel was reportedly using an unauthorized and dangerous route despite repeated warnings from Iranian authorities. The IRGC claimed that the vessel attempted to transit through a prohibited southern passage before striking the mine.

However, the vessel’s identity, the condition of its crew and the extent of the damage have not been disclosed. The incident has not been independently verified, international reports have differed over the type of gas being transported, and no immediate confirmation was available from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The latest report follows a series of attacks on tankers operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz, raising further concerns about the safety of commercial navigation in the region.

JMIC confirms four additional tanker attacks

In its November 12 advisory, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) documented four additional tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and Arabian Gulf, bringing the total number of recorded vessel incidents since March 1 to 181.

The incidents included:

November 10: An unidentified tanker was struck by an unknown projectile approximately 19 nautical miles northeast of Lima, Oman, in the Strait of Hormuz. The crew was reported safe, with no environmental damage.
November 10: The tanker Fujairah Energy was struck by an unidentified projectile while traveling eastbound in the Arabian Gulf. Multiple casualties were reported and taken ashore for medical assistance, while the remaining crew members were safe.
November 11: The tanker NCC Fajr was attacked north of Khasab, Oman. Authorities reported that the crew was safe, while the environmental impact remained unknown.
November 11: The tanker Dominica Prosperity was struck by an unidentified projectile in its engine room approximately 14 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. All 22 crew members were evacuated safely, with firefighting operations still underway at the time of reporting.

The four incidents were recorded under UKMTO warnings, with some reported to authorities after they occurred. They are separate from the latest Iranian claim concerning the gas carrier on November 13.

Strait of Hormuz threat level remains severe

JMIC maintained its SEVERE threat assessment for the Strait of Hormuz, warning that deliberate hostile action against commercial shipping remains highly likely under current conditions.

The center also highlighted continued Iranian military activity, including unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) overflights, targeted surveillance of merchant vessels and VHF communications directed at passing ships.

Of particular concern, JMIC warned mariners to remain vigilant for attempted mining within and adjacent to the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), alongside persistent navigation interference and pressure on vessels’ routing.

The threat level in the Arabian Gulf remains SUBSTANTIAL, where further attacks are considered a strong possibility, while the Gulf of Oman is assessed at MODERATE.

Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz also remains significantly below historical levels. According to JMIC, independent tracking data indicated single-digit to low-double-digit daily transits, compared with an average of approximately 138 vessels per day in 2025.

Meanwhile, around 211 commercial vessels were estimated to be stationary at major anchorages east of the Strait, including Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Sohar and Musandam, with congestion expected to persist.

IMO calls for stronger enforcement of maritime regulations

The latest developments come as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has urged Member States to strengthen enforcement of international maritime safety regulations amid continued attacks and security threats in the Strait of Hormuz.

As previously reported, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez warned on November 11 that unsafe shipping practices, including fraudulent vessel registrations, false flags and the concealment of IMO identification numbers, were adding to the risks faced by seafarers.

Dominguez called on flag States, port States and coastal States to take appropriate action against violations of international maritime conventions. He also urged shipowners and operators to avoid commercial activities that expose crews to unacceptable risks.