Iran reports destruction of four oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz amid escalating conflict

WASHINGTON — Four oil tankers have been destroyed after hitting naval sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to statements issued by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The IRGC reported that two of the vessels remain on fire, while two additional tankers were seized for attempting to navigate through a prohibited southern route in the strait. The latest maritime escalations follow earlier Iranian assertions that three tankers were destroyed by mines on Tuesday alongside the downing of an MQ-9 drone over the waterway. According to BBC Verify, these claims regarding the destroyed and seized tankers have not been independently verified.

The maritime disruptions coincide with expanding military engagements between the United States and Iran, a conflict initially triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes in February. US officials confirmed that the military launched fresh strikes on Iran following an earlier operation on Qeshm in response to the IRGC firing on a US aircraft. In the wake of these developments, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, announcing that the vital trade route will remain shut unless Washington agrees to the terms of Tehran’s peace plan.

The escalating confrontation has generated significant political fallout domestically in the United States, where voters punished Republican congressional members during midterm elections over the war and resulting spikes in gas prices.

Addressing the election outcome, US President Donald Trump acknowledged that the conflict and economic pressures contributed to poor results for Republican candidates. However, Mr. Trump stated that he harbors no regrets about launching the military campaign, asserting that the conflict would end “when I say it ends.” Regarding potential future military actions and comments from Israeli leadership, Mr. Trump told Fox News that the US is “locked and loaded if we need to go, but there may be no need for it,” and reiterated that Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that another attack on Iran is expected this week. Meanwhile, diplomatic avenues remain constrained. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian maintained that his administration has sought to resolve the crisis through dialogue, emphasizing that “no-one will benefit from this war.” Iranian official Esmaeil Baghaei stated that a condensed seven-step peace plan could be implemented within two days should the United States agree to its conditions.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Washington against ignoring public sentiment, stating that the midterm election results demonstrate that the American public has rejected the war.