Iranian state television says seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged overnight in the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by Iran or striking naval mines, 1News reports, citing the Associated Press, which could not verify the claim.
The report quoted the navy of the Revolutionary Guards, which again threatened US bases in the region if the US keeps helping escort ships through the strait. No casualties were mentioned. A British military monitor says October has seen the most reported attacks on shipping since the war's opening weeks in March.
The incidents come days before Israel's 27 October election and the US midterms, amid concern that US and Israeli strikes on Iran could resume. The US is sending a third aircraft carrier to the region, while Iran's foreign minister said Tehran remained open to diplomacy but ready to defend itself.
Source: 1News
Photo: Hormozgan Province, Hormuz, Unnamed Road, Iran – panoramio (2) by سید محمود جوادی, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Illustrative image of Hormuz.
