Unpacking Iran's narrative: Mines and maritime security concerns

Last updated: October 30, 2026 | 22:37

A small boat approaches an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz before attaching limpet mines to its hull — a tactic that triggered an engine-room fire and temporarily disabled the vessel, according to Reuters and UK Maritime Trade Operations. @IranObserver0

A small boat attached two limpet mines to a tanker’s hull in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday (Oct. 29), causing an engine-room fire and temporarily disabling the vessel.

Maritime noted said it was the first successful use of such explosives in the waterway since the US-Iran war began in February.

UKMTO said the incident occurred 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Khasab.

Three maritime security sources identified the Panama-flagged tanker as the Louise 1 .…