Two Tankers Burn in Strait of Hormuz After Explosion as Crews Evacuate
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 21
Two Tankers Burn in Strait of Hormuz After Explosion as Crews Evacuate
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 21
Summary
Two oil tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after an explosion, and rescue teams began evacuating their crews, according to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
The IRGC said the vessels had tried to use what it called an unsafe southern route and warned shippers not to trust US military guidance on navigation.
The tanker fires came as the United States struck Iran for a 10th straight night, with reported blasts in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Bandar Lengeh, Shiraz and Bushehr.
Iran also said it hit US military assets in Bahrain and Kuwait and threatened to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed while US attacks continue, putting regional oil and gas exports at risk.
Are America's Gulf allies seeking new protectors, signaling a historic power shift in the Middle East?
As America is drawn deeper into war with Iran, is China quietly winning a strategic victory in Asia?
With a peace deal dead, what is the ultimate price for reopening the world's most vital waterway?
Strait of Hormuz Shipping Collapses by 95% Amid US-Iran War: Global Energy and Security Fallout
Overview
In early July 2026, the fragile de-escalation agreement between the United States and Iran, signed on June 17 to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, quickly unraveled after a major strike just 20 days into the 60-day window. This collapse led to the breakdown of the interim deal and triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities, pushing both nations closer to all-out war. As a result, military actions intensified, shipping traffic nearly halted, and the risk of broader regional conflict grew, highlighting how the failure of diplomatic efforts can rapidly spiral into widespread crisis.