Iran's IRGC Claims Strike on LPG Tanker in Hormuz 'Illegal Route'; Separate UAE Vessel Incident Reported Amid Rising Tensions

On October 9, 2026, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced it had struck the LPG carrier NV Sunshine (owned by NatWit) as it attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz via an unauthorized southern route, causing a major fire in the engine room and propulsion system. The IRGC stated it has assumed administrative control of the strait and warned that future violations would be pursued and punished anywhere in the region, not limited to Hormuz, with sanctions possible against violating companies. Iranian state media carried the statement.[1][2]

Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an unidentified vessel was struck by an unknown projectile approximately 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera (Al Hamra), UAE, sparking a fire that was later extinguished. Maritime security firm Vanguard identified the vessel as the Panama-flagged crude tanker GEM NO.2; the incident's connection to the IRGC claim remains unconfirmed, and investigations into crew status, damage, and environmental impact are ongoing.[3][1]

These events occur against a backdrop of heightened maritime incidents, with reports indicating at least 12 attacks or harassment events targeting tankers in the prior week—the highest since the regional conflict began in February 2026. Saudi-aligned media (Al Arabiya) reported Houthi forces planting large quantities of mines in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, prompting demining operations, though independent verification is limited and Yemeni government forces have claimed recent territorial gains clearing Houthi presence from the area.[4]

Oil markets showed sensitivity to the reports, with prices reacting to the escalation risks in key chokepoints. The claims align with Iran's ongoing efforts to regulate Hormuz traffic amid the broader conflict, though independent confirmation of the specific IRGC strike details is pending.