Iran claimed on Thursday that seven oil tankers had caught fire or been seriously damaged in the Strait of Hormuz the previous night, after direct rocket attacks by Iranian forces or collisions with sea mines.
Iranian state television reported the attacks, citing claims from the air and naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which renewed threats to attack US military bases in the region if the United States continued helping open routes and protect commercial ships passing through the strait.
The escalation came only days before an election in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could face losing power, and ahead of next month's US midterm elections. The situation has raised concerns that joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran could soon resume.
Text: Rithy
