Iran says 7 oil tankers damaged in Strait of Hormuz, and other Middle East news

Iran has reported that seven oil tankers have sustained damage in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the highest single-day toll for the waterway since hostilities between the United States and Iran began on February 28. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that four of the vessels were transporting oil when they were targeted and caught fire overnight.

The remaining three tankers were rendered inoperable after striking mines. These claims have not been independently confirmed, and the report did not disclose casualty figures or the tankers' nationalities. The IRGC has also threatened to target US bases across the Middle East if Washington assists oil tankers navigating other parts of the strait.

The IRGC warned that a continued escalation could expand the conflict to include US military installations in the region. Iran asserts control over Hormuz, a critical shipping lane through which one-fifth of the world's oil passes before the conflict erupted. The Islamic Republic has a history of attacking ships attempting to use the strait without authorization.

In contrast, the US military has been escorting vessels through the waterway more frequently, prompting Iran to intensify its attacks. US President Donald Trump alleged on Thursday that Iran is fabricating incidents, including false mine strikes and missile claims, to manipulate oil prices ahead of the US Midterm Elections. The US Central Command spokesperson dismissed Iran's mine allegations, asserting that the international shipping lanes have been cleared of mines and that Tehran is employing missiles and drones.

The strait remains open, with 95 percent of vessels successfully passing through. The attacks, according to the spokesperson, indicate Iran's desperation amid the US blockade, which restricts Iran's access to resources necessary to rebuild its military capabilities, according to the US.