Three more tankers damaged in Hormuz as Iran steps up pressure on Trump

DUBAI: Iran reported three more tankers had been damaged in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, emphasizing that shipping would continue to be endangered as long as the war in the Gulf remains unresolved following the US election. The electoral defeat that removed Republicans from control of Congress has prompted a thorough evaluation of the conflict's political ramifications in Washington, driven by Vice President Kamala Harris, who blamed the war for her party's electoral loss.

In response, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a rival of Harris during prior peace negotiations, criticized Harris for enabling Trump to persist in planning additional strikes, likening it to a "losing gambler" scenario. Qalibaf urged Harris to urge Trump to cease hostilities: "Skip the TED talk. Why not say this to your boss?"

Rising oil prices have been tempered by traders' predictions that Trump, deterred by voter backlash, may reduce the strikes he initiated alongside Israel in February's "Operation Epic Fury." Prices have since risen slightly but remain over US$20 per barrel lower than the previous week. Iranian representatives have been engaging with Qatari mediators since last week to deliberate on proposals for ending the hostilities.

However, neither side has disclosed any progress on the key issues that have hindered the formation of a peace agreement thus far.

Attacks on tankers in the Gulf are persisting at a near-record pace. According to the UK maritime security agency UKMTO, at least five vessels have reported incidents since Sunday, a rate comparable to October when 35 ships were targeted, the highest monthly tally throughout the war. The UKMTO reported that a ship was hit by two unidentified projectiles late on Wednesday.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards, who seldom confirm firing on commercial vessels but assert the shipping lane is unsafe without Tehran's permission, said two tankers collided with naval mines and another caught fire on Thursday. On Wednesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer Khamenei asserted that there should be "no hint of yielding" to the United States, asserting that Iran would remain antagonistic towards the US regardless of the party in power.

When asked about Harris's comments on the war on Wednesday, Trump advocated for the decision to launch it, emphasizing its role in preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, a rationale he has consistently advocated. A White House advisor told Reuters that some officials and staff within the White House regarded Harris's post as a policy departure from the president and a public acknowledgment of the war's economic repercussions.

However, two sources revealed that they believed Trump was still inclined to authorize resumed hostilities. "He is planning to bomb Iran. Don't listen to what he's saying," a source stated. "He held off because of the midterms. We asked him to hold off until the midterms," said another. The sources emphasized that Trump faced no political repercussions now that the midterms had concluded.

Peace efforts have centered on the strait's future condition, the US blockade of Iranian ports, sanctions against the Islamic Republic, and renewed negotiations concerning Tehran's nuclear program. A senior Iranian official stated recently that the two sides remain far apart. Qatar announced on Tuesday that the United States and Iran were committed to mediation efforts and were examining proposals to reconcile their differences, noting that talks with both parties had shown some development.