Iran reports seven tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump hinted at possible military strikes against Iran, declaring that the US has knocked the “hell out” of the nation.

Iran reported that seven oil tankers sustained damage from strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the heaviest single-day toll for the vital waterway since the US and Israel initiated their war against Iran on 28 February.

In a Thursday statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) disclosed that four vessels caught fire overnight after targets hit them while transferring oil, whereas mines disabled the remaining three tankers. Independent sources could not immediately verify these claims, and the official report omitted details regarding casualties or the flags of the tankers.

IRGC issued a warning indicating that its forces could target US military bases throughout the Middle East if Washington acts to assist oil tankers navigating other sections of the passage. Posting on its Sepah News website, the IRGC declared, “The US military must know that if this trend continues, the conflict will extend to its bases in the region. This is a serious warning.”

Conflict over the strategic shipping route

Iran asserts full authority over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime choke point that funneled one-fifth of global oil supplies before hostilities erupted. Tehran routinely targets vessels trying to traverse the strait without its explicit authorization.

As the US military escalates its naval escorts for passing ships, Iran responds by multiplying its attacks. On Thursday, Trump accused Tehran of economic manipulation, saying, “Iran is doing everything they can to drive up the price of oil prior to the US Midterm Election.”

Writing on his Truth Social platform, he elaborated, “They are making up fake hits, mines, and everything else because more oil is coming through the Hormuz Strait now than it did even prior to the beginning of the conflict.”

An anonymous US Central Command spokesperson informed Al Jazeera that Iran’s claims regarding mines are false. The spokesperson affirmed that US forces have successfully cleared international shipping lanes of mines, explaining that Iran relies on missiles and drones instead.

According to the spokesperson, the Strait of Hormuz remains open, with 95 percent of vessels navigating through safely. The latest assaults reflect Tehran’s “desperation” under the US naval blockade, which starves Iran of essential resources needed to rebuild military capabilities that Washington claims to have destroyed.

Escalation fears and political backlash

The number of ships and tankers attacked every single day is increasing, and Iran is saying it is continuing to do this because they are not going to allow any change in that situation. They also have full control over the Strait of Hormuz right now.

Residents and officials in Tehran anticipate an impending escalation in the war, expecting a US attack before the US midterm elections in early November. IRGC army chief boasted about Iran’s peak readiness and its production of sufficient weapons and equipment to wage a symmetrical war against the US.

Source: Al Jazeera (adapted)