The claim cuts directly against the early dip in crude, shifting attention from diplomacy and the US midterms back to physical supply risk in the Gulf. Mining is a more serious threat to shipping than isolated attacks, because it puts every vessel in an area at risk and is slow to clear. That would push up tanker freight rates and war-risk insurance premiums, and could prompt more operators to avoid the region. If confirmed, the incident is likely to add a renewed risk premium to Brent and support energy stocks, while weighing on broader risk sentiment already under pressure from the midterm results. It also complicates the Qatari-mediated talks, raising the chance of a wider confrontation involving the US.---Earlier:Update: Iran says Hormuz stays shut until demands met as US deal remains far off---If the IRGC’s claim holds, the Hormuz stand-off has moved from blockades and talks to mines and burning tankers, and oil’s brief relief may already be over.Summary:Iran’s IRGC said four tankers were destroyed after striking naval mines south of the Strait of HormuzIt said the tankers were still burning and that two other vessels had been detainedThe vessels, their flags, cargoes and exact location were not identifiedThere was no immediate independent confirmationThe claim comes as Qatar awaits US and Iranian feedback on a possible deal, and hours after limited US strikes on Qeshm islandOil had slipped in early Asian trade before the statementIran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said four tankers had been destroyed after striking naval mines south of the Strait of Hormuz, and that two other vessels had been detained. If confirmed, the incident would mark a sharp escalation in the conflict around the world’s most important oil shipping route.The Guards said the four tankers were still burning. The statement did not identify the vessels, their owners or flags, the cargoes they were carrying or the exact location of the incidents. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the claims. It was also not clear whether there were casualties, or why the two other vessels had been detained.The claim comes at a delicate moment for diplomacy. A senior Iranian official told Reuters earlier on Tuesday that Iran and the United States remain far apart on a deal to end their war. Tehran insists the strait will stay closed until Washington waives oil sanctions, ends its naval blockade of Iranian ports and releases frozen funds. Qatari mediators said both sides were reviewing proposals, with feedback expected within 36 hours.Hours earlier, US forces carried out what a US official described as limited, defensive strikes on Iran’s Qeshm island, which sits in the strait, targeting surface-to-air missiles used against US assets. President Donald Trump said the US was ready to act if needed but might have no reason to, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at an attack later this week.The use of naval mines, if confirmed, would raise the stakes for shipping well beyond direct attacks on individual vessels. Mines are difficult to detect and clear, and can threaten any ship passing through an area. That would deter traffic and push up insurance costs, even for tankers with no link to the conflict.Oil had slipped in early Asian trade on Wednesday as investors looked to the US midterm results and the prospects for talks. The IRGC claim is likely to shift that focus back toward physical supply risk.Independent confirmation from shipping authorities, maritime security agencies or the vessels’ operators will be key to judging the scale of the incident. This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.