Five tankers damaged in Strait of Hormuz as war continues
Iranian authorities report multiple vessels hit by mines and projectiles, while US forces position for potential renewed strikes.
By Chioma Kuznetsov ·
Iranian forces reported that at least five tankers sustained damage in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. The incidents occurred as tensions remained high between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that a large oil tanker caught fire after striking a mine in a passage south of the strait. The vessel was forced to stop. The IRGC also reported that a second supertanker halted after a massive fire broke out while it exited the eastern part of the strait. A tugboat sent to fight the blaze also caught fire.
Iran's army announced that three additional tankers struck naval mines and burned. According to the IRNA news agency, one tanker described as violating restrictions caught fire early Thursday morning east of the strait. Two other tankers hit mines and ignited around midday in the same waters.
The British military confirmed a separate incident where a tanker was struck by two projectiles off the coast of Qatar. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said the vessel was hit 50 nautical miles north of Madinat ash-Shamal at 23:20 GMT on Wednesday. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
These events follow an incident on October 30 involving the Qatari liquefied natural gas carrier Al Mayeda. The vessel was hit by unidentified objects while sailing in the Gulf. Qatar Gas Transport Company said no crew members were hurt and the ship remained operational while damage was assessed.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported last month that it was struggling to track the true number of incidents because most ships now decline to report them. The strategic waterway normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption, but Tehran has restricted movement there since the war began in late February.
Qatari officials said both sides are reviewing mediation proposals. Unnamed Pentagon officials told The New York Times that thousands of US air and naval personnel are positioned to resume major combat operations on President Donald Trump's orders. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned against submission to the US, and IRGC commander Brigadier General Mohammad Karami said further hostile actions would bring Iranian victories.
