Two tankers struck by mines in Strait of Hormuz amid tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran on Tuesday to accept a diplomatic deal, after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said two oil tankers were struck by mines and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. The incidents occurred within hours of each other, near the narrow waterway that carries about a fifth of the world’s oil shipments. Trump said the United States would “make sure this ends soon” and urged Tehran to come to the negotiating table.

The attacks come amid rising tensions over the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear accord and the re‑imposition of sanctions on Tehran’s oil exports. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a choke point that links the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, if its economy is further crippled. The mines were reportedly laid by Iranian forces as a warning, according to the IRGC, but the United States has not confirmed the cause of the explosions. The strait’s importance to global energy markets makes any disruption a flashpoint for wider conflict.

Shipping companies reported that the two vessels, both Panamanian‑flagged tankers, were carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom. Both crews were evacuated safely, and the fires were extinguished after several hours. The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet said it was monitoring the area and had deployed additional warships to protect commercial traffic. Oil prices rose modestly on the news, with Brent crude up about 0.6 percent, reflecting market anxiety over potential supply cuts.

Analysts say the incidents could push diplomatic efforts into overdrive. The European Union and China have called for restraint and offered to mediate between Washington and Tehran. If Iran escalates, the U.S. may consider a broader naval presence or targeted strikes to secure the waterway. For now, both sides appear to be testing each other’s resolve, and the world will watch closely as talks continue.