Revolutionary Guards say four tankers hit by mines in Hormuz are still burning

Tehran's account of repeated mine strikes since late October sits against Washington's statement that the main routes are clear.

The Revolutionary Guards say the fires on four tankers that struck naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz have not been put out. If so, the damage has not been contained, and these are more than one-off hits.

It is the latest in a string of such claims. On October 23 the Guards Navy said two tankers carrying more than 4.5 million barrels of crude had hit mines off the strait's southern coast and been abandoned by their crews. Al Arabiya, citing the Guard, reported on October 29 that fires had broken out on four tankers that struck mines. On November 1, Defa Press, citing the Guard navy, said two tankers exploded after hitting a mine on an unauthorized route.

US Central Command says American forces have cleared all internationally recognized primary transit routes of sea mines and that they remain clear.

Transit through the strait is still running far below its pre-conflict pace. Burning ships make it more likely that insurers and shippers hold back rather than resume, which sustains the risk premium on crude oil tied to the blockade standoff.

Diplomacy offers no relief yet. Iran rejected Washington's seven-day Hormuz plan on October 28, and state TV says the US blockade must be lifted before talks can move. Mediators and Iran were discussing a meeting in Turkey before November 4, Al Arabiya reported.