Iran says seven tankers were hit or struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz overnight
Iranian state TV says four tankers caught fire and three hit mines. The claims have not been independently confirmed.
Iranian state television said on Thursday that seven oil tankers were damaged in and near the Strait of Hormuz overnight, possibly the largest number of ships hit in a single day since the Iran war began on 28 February. Citing the navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), it said four vessels involved in what it called illegal oil transfers in the northern Gulf were hit at the same time and caught fire, while three others struck naval mines west of the strait.
The Associated Press said it could not independently confirm the claims. The report did not name the tankers, give their flags or mention any casualties. The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre, a British military monitor, had not reported the latest incidents, though it has noted that some shipping companies have become reluctant to report attacks. It says October has seen the most reported attacks on commercial shipping since March.
The IRGC again warned that it could strike US military bases in the region if Washington keeps helping to guide commercial ships through the strait. The United States is sending more forces to the region, including a third aircraft carrier and thousands of troops.
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Washington was not negotiating with Iran and that "something one way or the other" would happen "fairly soon". Iran says it remains open to diplomacy and is still promoting a proposal to end the war and fully reopen the strait if the US meets several conditions, including lifting its blockade of Iranian ports.