Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday, 20 October said two 'violating' oil tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after colliding with naval mines laid by its forces, in what marks a sharp escalation of tensions in one of the world's most critical shipping corridors. The IRGC also separately claimed to have shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone on Monday night over the same waterway.

What the IRGC Said

In a statement published on its official outlet Sepah News, the IRGC said the two oil tankers attempted to cross the strait via what it described as the 'illegal' route to the south of the waterway. The corps warned that any attempt to traverse the mined path is 'illegal' and will result only in the burning of 'violators' assets.' The IRGC added that its air defence forces shot down the US MQ-9 Reaper drone late Monday night, stating that its forces are 'constantly monitoring the situation in the region' and will continue to exercise sovereignty over the strait.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Warns of Retaliation

At a weekly press conference in Tehran on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei declared that Iran will not allow any strike against it to go unanswered, vowing to respond 'with equal or greater force.' Baghaei dismissed suggestions that Tehran would refrain from retaliating as 'fantasies,' saying Iran has demonstrated over the past two years that the era of 'hit and run' is over.

Baghaei also rejected claims circulating on social media that the United States had sent a message announcing its intention to attack Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, a site reportedly linked to the country's nuclear programme. He said no talks on the details of Iran's nuclear issue were held between Tehran and Moscow during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's recent visit to Iran.

Trump's Nuclear Warning and the Pickaxe Mountain Question

The backdrop to these developments includes remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said in an interview on Thursday that the United States may have to target Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, stressing that Washington seeks to ensure Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons. The comment has heightened anxieties over a potential direct military confrontation between the two countries.

Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most critical oil chokepoint, with roughly 20% of global oil supply passing through it daily. Any disruption to navigation — particularly mine-laying by the IRGC — carries immediate implications for global energy markets, insurance rates for tankers, and regional stability. This is not the first time Iran has signalled control over the strait; similar standoffs occurred during the 'tanker wars' of the 1980s and during heightened tensions in 2019.

With the IRGC formally claiming responsibility for both the mine strikes and the drone shoot-down, and Tehran's Foreign Ministry hardening its retaliatory posture, the situation remains volatile and closely watched by global powers and energy markets alike.