Four oil tankers were hit by explosions in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's military said on Thursday, 12 November, in the latest disruption to shipping through the world's most important oil waterway.

Iran said the vessels had ignored warnings and entered parts of the strait that Tehran considers restricted. Two of the tankers were disabled on Wednesday and two more were struck on Thursday afternoon, according to Iranian military statements carried by state media.

The Revolutionary Guards Navy said two supertankers were disabled by explosions on Wednesday after they ignored warnings against using what it described as an "unauthorised route" through the southern part of the strait. Iranian state media reported that the two vessels "exploded after hitting naval mines" and broadcast what it said was video footage of the incidents.

Iran's army later said two other tankers had hit mines on Thursday afternoon while sailing through the eastern Strait of Hormuz after ignoring warnings and disabling their radar systems. The tankers entered a restricted area and subsequently caught fire, state television reported.

Reuters, which reported the Iranian claims, said it could not immediately verify the Iranian account. The Iranian statements gave no details of casualties.

British maritime agency reports projectile strike

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said a vessel was hit by an unidentified projectile about 14 nautical miles north-west of Ras Al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday while leaving the strait, causing a fire in its engine room.

Firefighting efforts were under way and all of the crew had been evacuated, the agency said. It did not name the vessel or say who might have been responsible.

Attacks continue despite hopes of de-escalation

The incidents came despite a rebound in traffic through the strait and expectations of a de-escalation in the war between the United States and Iran, expectations that have been reflected in falling oil prices.

At least 10 ships were hit in the first 10 days of November, after 37 attacks in October, the highest monthly tally since the conflict began in late February, according to data from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Earlier in the war, the Revolutionary Guards Navy announced its attacks on tankers. More recently, however, it has instead reported that vessels have caught fire after hitting naval mines while crossing the southern part of the strait, which it has declared an unauthorised route. In several of those cases, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency has said vessels were struck by unknown projectiles.

The latest incidents also followed a decision by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday to pause "Project Freedom", the US operation to guide stranded vessels through the waterway, citing progress towards a comprehensive agreement with Iran. The US naval blockade of the strait remains in effect.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz carries about a fifth of the world's oil, making any disruption a concern for energy markets and for the economies that depend on Gulf crude. Traders and shipowners will now be watching whether Thursday's explosions mark a further escalation or a final flare-up before a diplomatic settlement.